Questions From Readers

 Who is the "woman" mentioned at Isaiah 60:1, and how does she "arise" and "shed light"'? 

Isaiah 60:1 reads: "Arise, O woman, shed light, for your light has come. The glory of Jehovah shines on your." The context shows that the "woman" was Zion, or Jerusalem, the capital of Judah at that time. (Isaiah60:14; 62:1, 2) The city stands for the entire nation. Isaiah's words raise two questions: First, when and how did Jerusalem "arise" and shed spiritual light?  Second, are Isaiah's words having a greater fulfillment in our time?

When and how did Jerusalem "arise" and shed spiritual light? Jerusalem and its temple lay in ruins while the Jews were in exile in Babylon for 70 years. But fell to the Medes and the Persians, Israelites from all over the Babylon Empire were free to return to their homeland and restore pure worship. (Ezra 1:1-4) Beginning in 537 B.C.E., a faithful remnant from all 12 tribes did so. (Isaiah 60:4) They began to offer sacrifices to Jehovah, to celebrate the festivals and to rebuild the temple. (Ezra 3:1-4, 7-11: 6:16-22) Once again, Jehovah's glory started to shine on Jerusalem-that is God's restored people. They, in turn, became a source of enlightenment to the nations, which were in spiritual darkness.

However, Isaiah's restoration prophecies were only partially fulfilled on ancient Jerusalem. The Israelites in general did not continue to obey God. (Nehemiah 13:27; Malachi 1:6-8; 2:13, 14; Matthew 15:7-9) Later, they even rejected the Messiah, Jesus Christ. (Matthew 27:1, 2) In 70 C.E., Jerusalem and its temple were destroyed the second time. 

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