SUMMARY
When God redeems Israel, a light will go forth to attract nations and kings. All will see the glory of the Lord.
ANALYSIS
In First IsaiahIsaiah, son of Amoz, who prophesied in Jerusalem, is included among the prophets of the eighth century BCE (along with Amos, Hosea, and Micah)--preachers who boldly proclaimed God's word of judgment against the economic, social, and religious disorders of their time., God promised that “the people who walked in darkness” would see a great light with the birth of a new king of peace (9:2-7). In Second IsaiahSecond Isaiah refers chapters 40-55 of the book of Isaiah. This work was likely written during Israel's exile in Babylon (597-538 B.C.E.). Second Isaiah includes poetic passages of hope as well as descriptions of the Suffering Servant., God announced that Israel would be a “light to the nations” (49:6). Now, in this text of Third IsaiahThird Isaiah, commonly understood to consist of chapters 56 - 66 in the book of Isaiah, was probably written after the Babylonian exile (that is, after 539 B.C.E.). These chapters, likely written by an anonymous prophet who used the name of Isaiah, spoke the word..., the “light has come,” and all nations will be attracted to “the brightness of your dawn.”
The coming of the nations to the light of God and Israel is a theme of the ZionZion originally referred to a mountain near Jerusalem where David conquered a Jebusite stronghold. Later the term came to mean a number of other things like the Temple, Jerusalem, and even the Promised Land. tradition used throughout this book. God acts to redeem God’s chosen people, but also to attract the nations who come to see the amazing work that God is doing. In this text, the nations come to return the children of Israel who had been taken into exile.
The nations and kings come and pour out their wealth before God, even entering into the worship of God. The gifts of gold and frankincense serve to foreshadow the gifts brought by the magi, also attracted by the light, to pay homage to the baby JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. (MatthewA tax collector who became one of Jesus' 12 disciples. 2:10-11).
