Haftarah Ki-Tavo
“Restoring the Light”
Isaiah 60:1-22
excerpted from TorahScope Haftarah Exhortations
This week’s Torah portion, Ki-Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8), is highlighted by the elaboration of the blessings and curses (Deuteronomy 27-28) which would befall Israel—depending on their obedience or disobedience to the Holy One. Moses was very serious about the consequences of blatantly defying God’s commandments. As Bible readers often see throughout the subsequent history of Israel, this unfortunately took place, as people would either reap blessings or curses, depending on what had been sown into their hearts and lives.
This week marks the sixth Haftarah of consolation, as the words of Isaiah are to again comfort those still mourning over the destruction of the Temples. We are now about halfway through the month of Elul, seeking restoration with God, and our brothers and sisters, as the forty-day preparation toward the Day of Atonement moves ahead. In regard to this coming time of confession, repentance, and healing, Believers can take great comfort in the words of Isaiah. The Prophet reminds us all that eventually, the Almighty will bring His everlasting light to not only Israel, but all the nations of the world.
Throughout Isaiah 60, the emphasis we see is on the everlasting glory of the Lord, as the radiant source of eternal light to the world:
“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the LORD’s glory has risen on you! 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. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60:1-3, WMB).
Next, the Prophet turned to the promised restoration of Israel, when God will gather His people from all over the world. This ingathering is not only of people, but also of the wealth of the nations to honor and glorify Him. Isaiah provided some details on the kinds of treasures to be brought to Him, envisioning eventual glory to Zion:
“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. 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. A multitude of camels will cover you, the dromedaries of Midian and Efah. All from Sheba will come. They will bring gold and frankincense, and will proclaim the praises of the LORD. 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” (Isaiah 60:4-7, WMB).
We may even see a veiled reference to people filled with the Holy Spirit, who appear to fly like clouds, somewhat like doves. The overwhelming end-time response will even come from the remotest parts of the Earth, who also bring their wealth to Zion:
“Who are these who fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? 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. 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. 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” (Isaiah 60:8-11, WMB).
However, in spite of this good word, Isaiah spoke how those who do not honor and glorify the Lord, will be punished:
“For that nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; yes, those nations shall be utterly wasted. 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. 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” (Isaiah 60:12-14, WMB).
It appears that from here, Isaiah looked forward to the Millennial Kingdom, and the ultimate fulfillment of the promises made to the Patriarchs. References to peace and the non-existence of violence, point to the future covenant of peace:
“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. 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. 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” (Isaiah 60:15-18, WMB).
We do not know all of the specifics of this future Kingdom, be it in just the Millennium and/or the eternal state—because prophetic words often overlap many different concepts—requiring them to just naturally play out over time. We see a reference to how God’s presence will be the light which is needed in the midst of His people. They will no longer require the Sun or Moon to cast light, something anticipated in Revelation 21:23 and the New Creation which God will inaugurate:
“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. 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” (Isaiah 60:19-22, WMB).
Ultimately, the great comfort witnessed, in our Haftarah this week, is that Israel will experience a future that is blessed by the fruits of righteousness. The Lord will be present in Israel’s life, and great, unparalleled prosperity will come.
For Believers in Messiah Yeshua today, we acknowledge how He is the Light of the world (John 8:12). He also taught His followers that they were also to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14), demonstrating good works to others, and removing all of the darkness of a sin-filled world. Being vessels which are filled with His presence, we each have the responsibility to convey the grace and mercy of God to all who need it.
As we seek to rest in these realities, we should be approaching the soon to come Fall feasts with humble, conciliatory hearts toward God and others. I pray that the Prophet Isaiah’s word gives each of you hope, as you seek to do your part to represent Him in this wicked and perverse generation—accomplishing some small role, as He will fulfill His future promises to His people.
In the interim, as we await the completion of Isaiah’s prophecy, and the return of our Lord Yeshua—with wisdom and discernment let us fulfill our individual and corporate responsibilities! Let us know to reflect His light wherever He has us placed! May we know what our role is in His Kingdom, and be all that He has chosen us to be as the days of restoration proceed. This is an awesome task—and I am blessed to simply know that these promises even exist! May we be so fortunate as to see them come to fruition in our lifetimes!
