Isaiah 60:8-12 - In my favour I have had mercy on you

60:8,9

God uses picturesque language to describe what will happen. There are various ways of communicating, and God uses all of them. He uses logic, narrative, clear commands, He addresses our minds and our emotions. So in the church we should have a variety of modes of communication. Israel had been scattered to the nations, here God paints a picture of the nations coming to Israel. The nations are looking to God, and God is their home. This is all to the honour of the Lord. But why is it happening? Because the Lord has endowed His people with splendour. We really need to get a hold of this. God works out His plans by endowing His people with splendour (but do not take it in a prosperity gospel sense!), the splendour of Christ likeness.

60:10-12

There is an emphasis on foreigners bringing wealth to Israel, and in helping to rebuild the walls. This does not mean an enslavement of foreign peoples, but foreign peoples becoming part of the kingdom of God, becoming God’s people. 

There is a reversal of things, God had indeed struck Israel with anger,  but now He will show them compassion. Their gates will always be open, so that people can always come in. As the world turns more hostile to the church, we need to keep a hold of the fact that we are meant to be an open door to the kingdom.

Verse 12 recognises that some nations will not obey God, and there will be judgement upon these nations. We need to keep both the mercy and the judgement aspects in mind.