The foreigners and kings who had ransacked and scorned the nation would rebuild the walls and serve the nation. There would be a complete transformation.
The nation had been struck by God in righteous anger, now He will show them favour in compassion. We need to come to terms with the reality of our sin, and the judgement it deserves, then we can receive the favour of God.
"Your gates will always stand open.." Openness is a sign of the kingdom. The church is to be open to all people. Anyone who turns to God is welcome. We are not to have a defensive attitude. Note also that the decision nations and people make is important. Nations that will not serve the Lord will perish.
Wealth will come to Israel, people will come to serve Israel. This is a complete transformation. For the land was forsaken, but would become the pride of the whole earth. At the moment we see a nation that despises God, but this will change. We will know that the Lord is our Redeemer, then the world will know that He is the Lord.
Our gates will be called salvation and praise. These are the things that will characterise the people of God. We will live in the light of the Lord.. It does not matter what the circumstances are today, we can live in the light of the Lord. And we are talking not about a temporary state of affairs, but an everlasting one.
We have been chosen for the display of the Lord's splendour in our lives.
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