“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. shine: or, be enlightened; for thy light cometh”
O Jerusalem, is not in Hebrew or St. 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, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.”
People. Babylon shall suffer, while thou art relieved. (Calmet) — The Gentiles continue in darkness till they embrace the faith, ver. 3. (Haydock) — Only those who are in the Church receive the light of truth. (Worthington)
“And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”
Rising. The three wise men were the first. [Matthew ii.]
“Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.”
Rise up. St. Jerome, “suck,” as the Hebrew may imply. (Calmet) — Septuagint, “shall be carried on the shoulders.” (Haydock) — This may refer to the captives and to the Church.
“Then thou shalt see , and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. abundance: or, noise of the sea shall be turned toward thee forces: or, wealth”
Wonder. Hebrew and Septuagint in St. Jerome, “fear.” This sensation is often mixed with joy, Matthew xxviii. 8. — Thee. No such nations joined the Jews, as they did the Church.
“The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.”
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 ii. (Worthington)
“All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.”
Cedar and Nabaioth sprung from Ismael, and dwelt in desert Arabia, under tents, feeding flocks. (St. Jerome) (Ezechiel xxvii. 21.) — They also were converted to Christ.
“Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?”
Clouds. They are thy children, accompanied by strangers.
“Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.”
Afar. All nations shall receive the gospel. Many made presents to the temple, after the return of the Jews. (Calmet) — The islands, Great Britain, &c., embrace the faith. (Tertullian; Origen; Ven. Bede; St. Chrysostom, &c.) (Worthington)
“And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.”
To thee. The Persian monarchs (Calmet) were mostly favourable to the Jews. (Haydock) — The Gentiles help to form the Church, which rejects no one, ver. 11.
“For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.”
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 ii. 8.
“The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.”
Glory; cedar, which was chiefly used in building the temple, 1 Esdras iii. 7. (Calmet) — This must be explained of the saints, who founded the Church, &c. (St. Jerome) — Emperors became Christians, with the most potent nations. (Worthington)
“The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.”
Feet. Protestants, “shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet.” This posture is not then essentially idolatrous. (Haydock) — Jerusalem shall be rebuilt by those who destroyed it, chap. xlix. 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.
“Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.”
Kings. Thou shalt be treated like royal babes, chap. xlix. 23. (Calmet) — Septuagint, “and thou shalt eat the riches of kings.” (Haydock)
“For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.”
Visitation. Septuagint, “give thy chiefs in peace, and thy bishops in justice.” St. Clement of Rome (ad Corinthians) 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 (St. Jerome)
“Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.”
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, (St. Cyril, &c.) though the Church is always holy. (Haydock)
“The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.”
Thou shalt, &c. 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. St. John seems to have copied this, Apocalypse xviii., &c.
“A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.”
The least of the apostles shall bring many converts, (Calmet) or shall be spiritual (Haydock) governor of a great city, (Micheas v. 2.) in the Church militant. (Calmet) — A small shoot, or family, in the Church, shall produce many others. (Menochius)