“I
will set a sign among them, and I will send those who escape of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to far-away islands, who have not heard my fame, nor have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations. They shall bring all your brothers out of all the nations for an offering to Yahweh, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on camels, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says Yahweh, as the children of Israel bring their offering in a clean vessel into Yahweh’s house. Of them I will also select priests and Levites,” says Yahweh.
Isaiah 66:19-21
Isaiah 66 [17.] “Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go to the gardens, behind one in the middle, eating pig’s flesh, abominable things, and the mouse, they shall come to an end together,” says Yahweh.
Isaiah 66 [18.] “For I know their works and their thoughts. The time comes that I will gather all nations and languages, and they will come, and will see my glory.
Isaiah 66 [19.] “I will set a sign among them, and I will send those who escape of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to far-away islands, who have not heard my fame, nor have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations. They shall bring all your brothers out of all the nations for an offering to Yahweh, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on camels, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says Yahweh, as the children of Israel bring their offering in a clean vessel into Yahweh’s house. Of them I will also select priests and Levites,” says Yahweh.
Isaiah 66 [22.] “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me,” says Yahweh, “so your offspring[a] and your name shall remain. It shall happen that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh will come to worship before me,” says Yahweh. “They will go out, and look at the dead bodies of the men who have transgressed against me; for their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”
Meaning:
- Setting a Sign:
"I will set a sign among them..."
God declares His intention to set a distinguishing sign among the people. This sign serves as a marker of divine action and presence, capturing the attention of those who witness it.
- Sending Escapees to the Nations:
"I will send such as escape of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud..."
God selects individuals, referred to as escapees, to be sent to various nations. The choice of nations spans a wide geographical range, signifying a global outreach.
- Declaration of God's Glory:
"...they shall declare my glory among the nations."
The purpose of sending these individuals is to declare God's glory among the nations. This emphasizes the mission of sharing the knowledge of God with those who have not heard of Him.
- Global Gathering of Brothers:
"They shall bring all your brothers out of all the nations for an offering to Yahweh..."
The vision unfolds with a global gathering of people from all nations, symbolically referred to as brothers. This gathering is an offering to Yahweh, a collective act of worship.
- Modes of Transportation:
"On horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on camels..."
The diversity in modes of transportation emphasizes the inclusivity of this gathering. People from different regions will come using various means, highlighting the richness of human diversity.
- Selection of Priests and Levites:
"Of them, I will also select priests and Levites," says Yahweh."
God announces His intention to choose priests and Levites from among the gathered multitude. This denotes a divine selection process for individuals to serve in roles of spiritual leadership and service.
- Significance:
Global Proclamation: Isaiah 66:19-21 envisions a global proclamation of God's glory. The sending of individuals to nations that have not heard of God signifies a divine initiative to extend the knowledge of God to the farthest reaches of the earth.
Inclusivity of Worship: The imagery of people from diverse nations bringing offerings to Yahweh emphasizes the inclusivity of worship. God's invitation extends to all, breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of unity among diverse peoples.
Diverse Modes of Transportation: The diversity in modes of transportation reflects the varied cultural and regional backgrounds of the people. This underscores the richness of human diversity in approaching God in worship.
Universal Priesthood: The selection of priests and Levites from the gathered multitude points to a universal priesthood. It signifies that individuals from every nation have a role in serving God, emphasizing the priesthood of all believers.
Relevance for Today:
Global Mission: Isaiah's vision challenges us to engage in a global mission, sharing the message of God's glory with those who have not yet heard. It calls us to actively participate in extending the knowledge of God to the ends of the earth.
Inclusive Worship: The vision encourages us to foster inclusive worship communities that embrace diversity. It prompts us to celebrate the richness of different cultural expressions in our collective worship of God.
Universal Priesthood: Recognizing the universal priesthood underscores that every believer has a unique role in serving God. It encourages a sense of shared responsibility in the mission of God's kingdom.
Cross-References:
Matthew 28:19-20: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you..." Jesus' Great Commission aligns with Isaiah's vision, emphasizing the global mission of proclaiming the message of God to all nations.
Revelation 5:9-10: "...for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation..." Revelation depicts a future reality where people from every corner of the earth gather before God, echoing the inclusivity seen in Isaiah's vision.
In Our Daily Lives: Isaiah 66:19-21 challenges us to be active participants in God's global mission. It calls us to embrace diversity, share the message of God's glory, and recognize our role as part of a universal priesthood.
immigration
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible