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“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the LORD’s glory has risen on you!
Verse 1. O Jerusalem, is not in Hebrew or Saint Jerome but in the Septuagint Some few things may refer to the terrestrial Jerusalem, though the prophet speaks chiefly of the celestial and of the Church.—Lord, very great. Christ came to save us. Calmet.—God prevents by his grace, but man must co-operate to be justified. Worthington.
For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise on you, and his glory shall be seen on you.
Verse 2. People. Babylon shall suffer, while thou art relieved. Calmet.—The Gentiles continue in darkness till they embrace the faith. verse 3. Bible.—Only those who are in the Church receive the light of truth. Worthington.
Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Verse 3. Rising. The three wise men were the first.
“Lift up your eyes all around, and see: they all gather themselves together. They come to you. Your sons will come from far away, and your daughters will be carried in arms.
Verse 4. Rise up. Saint Jerome “suck,” as the Hebrew may imply. Calmet.—Septuagint “shall be carried on the shoulders.” Bible.—This may refer to the captives and to the Church.
Then you shall see and be radiant, and your heart will thrill and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you. The wealth of the nations will come to you.
Verse 5. Wonder. Hebrew and Septuagint in S. Jerom, “fear.” This sensation is often mixed with joy. Matthew 28:8.—Thee. No such nations joined the Jews, as they did the Church.
A multitude of camels will cover you, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah. All from Sheba will come. They will bring gold and frankincense, and will proclaim the praises of the LORD.
Verse 6. Epha. Abraham’s grandson, who dwelt near his father, Madian, in Arabia, which was famous for camels. Calmet.—Saba. India mittit ebur, molles sua thura Sabæi? Geor. i.—The Arabians embraced the gospel, but never brought their treasures to Jerusalem. Calmet.—The three kings came on swift beasts to adore Christ, and fulfilled his prophecy. Matthew 2. Worthington.
All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered together to you. The rams of Nebaioth will serve you. They will be accepted as offerings on my altar; and I will beautify my glorious house.
Verse 7. Cedar and Nabaioth sprung from Ismael, and dwelt in desert Arabia, under tents, feeding flocks. Saint Jerome Ezec. xxvii. 21.—They also were converted to Christ.
“Who are these who fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?
Verse 8. Clouds. They are thy children, accompanied by strangers.
Surely the islands will wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your sons from far away, their silver and their gold with them, for the name of the LORD your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has glorified you.
Verse 9. Afar. All nations shall receive the gospel. Many made presents to the temple, after the return of the Jews. Calmet.—The islands, Great Britain, and so forth embrace the faith. Tert. Orig. Ven. Bede, Saint John Chrysostom and so forth Worthington.
“Foreigners will build up your walls, and their kings will serve you; for in my wrath I struck you, but in my favor I have had mercy on you.
Verse 10. To thee. The Persians monarchs ( Calmet.) were mostly favourable to the Jews. Bible.—The Gentiles help to form the Church, which rejects no one. verse 11.
Your gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night, that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, and their kings led captive.
For that nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; yes, those nations shall be utterly wasted.
Verse 12. Desolation. Though the Machabees conquered several nations, this can only be verified in the Church of Christ, to which God has subjected all; so that out of his faith none can be saved. Hebrews 2:8.
“The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress tree, the pine, and the box tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
Verse 13. Glory; cedar, which was chiefly used in building the temple. 1 Ezra 3:7. Calmet.—This must be explained of the saints, who founded the Church, and so forth Saint Jerome—Emperors became Christians, with the most potent nations. Worthington.
The sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you; and all those who despised you will bow themselves down at the soles of your feet. They will call you the LORD’s City, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Verse 14. Feet. Prot. “shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet.” This posture is not then essentially idolatrous. Bible.—Jerusalem shall be rebuilt by those who destroyed it. Calmet. 49:17. It is not easy to prove this of the earthly city: but the pagans, who persecuted the Church, have embraced her communion, and begged to receive baptism.
“Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, so that no one passed through you, I will make you an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.
You will also drink the milk of the nations, and will nurse from royal breasts. Then you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
Verse 16. Kings. Thou shalt be treated like royal babes. Calmet. 49:23. Calmet.—Septuagint “and thou shalt eat the riches of kings.” Bible.
For bronze I will bring gold; for iron I will bring silver; for wood, bronze, and for stones, iron. I will also make peace your governor, and righteousness your ruler.
Verse 17. Visitation. Septuagint “give thy chiefs in peace, and thy bishops in justice.” S. Clement (ad Cor.) reads, “I will appoint their bishops in justice, and their deacons in faith.” Calmet.—The Scripture thus specifies the name and duties of the pastors of the Church Saint Jerome
Violence shall no more be heard in your land, nor desolation or destruction within your borders; but you will call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.
Verse 18. Gates. Jerusalem was not less corrupt after the captivity than before, if we except idolatry. Calmet.—Heaven alone enjoys a perfect peace and freedom from sin, (Saint Cyril and so forth) though the Church is always holy. Bible.
The sun will be no more your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon give light to you, but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
Verse 19. Thou shalt, and so forth In this latter part of the chapter, the prophet passes from the illustrious promises made to the Church militant on earth, to the glory of the Church triumphant in heaven. Challoner.—Glory. Saint John seems to have copied this. Revelation 18. and so forth
Your sun will not go down any more, nor will your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning will end.
Then your people will all be righteous. They will inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
The little one will become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation. I, the LORD, will do this quickly in its time.”
Verse 22. The least of the apostles shall bring many converts, ( Calmet.) or shall be spiritual ( Bible.) governor of a great city, (Mic. 5:2) in the Church militant. Calmet.—A small shoot, or family, in the Church, shall produce many others. Menochius.