Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles, and will set up my standard to the people. And they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and carry thy daughters upon their shoulders.
כֹּֽה־אָמַ֞ר אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֗ה הִנֵּ֨ה אֶשָּׂ֤א אֶל־גּוֹיִם֙ יָדִ֔י וְאֶל־עַמִּ֖ים אָרִ֣ים נִסִּ֑י וְהֵבִ֤יאוּ בָנַ֙יִךְ֙ בְּחֹ֔צֶן וּבְנֹתַ֖יִךְ עַל־כָּתֵ֥ף תִּנָּשֶֽׂאנָה׃
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To prevent reliance on their own righteousness, He proclaims, "The return will occur under My direction and strength." To demonstrate the love that will underpin this return, He states, "They shall go out," or, "They shall carry your sons in their arms and your daughters on their shoulders."
Thus says the LORD, Look, I will raise my hand to the nations and set my standard upon the islands; your sons shall be brought in arms, and your daughters shall be carried on shoulders. Your kings shall serve you, and their princesses shall nurture you; they will bow down to you and honor you, proclaiming, I am the Lord God; those who bear me will not be ashamed. He declared to Zion that He would be abundant and gracious, and that her children would be gathered in such large numbers that there would be a need for expansion in their dwelling, as they would plead for the tent to be extended. He reveals that this promise of children for Zion would no longer arise solely from Israel but would also come from among the multitude of the Gentiles.
This is evident through the very acts that take place. It is true that a remnant of Israel is saved, as stated in Isaiah 10:22, yet they are few. Meanwhile, by faith in Christ, those in the heavenly realms have been drawn to Him through the strength of apostolic and evangelical preaching, reaching out to all the earth. This is conveyed in the declaration, Behold, I raise my hand to the nations. To lift up signifies to elevate, while the hand denotes power. When Christ was revealed to the Gentiles through the proclamation of the Gospel, being made glorious by His miracles and His resurrection, the sign of the holy cross became visible to those who had not seen Him, who is inherently and truly God. In that moment, Zion was blessed with countless followers, as they rushed to Him, calling to one another, saying, Come, let us ascend to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and He will instruct us in His ways, and we will walk in His paths (Is. 2:3). The prophet assures us that nothing will hinder or obstruct those journeying to the house of God with his words, Your sons shall be carried in arms and your daughters upon shoulders. It seems that the blessed disciples became gentle guides for the Gentiles, and subsequently, the leaders of the churches, who excelled in the understanding of the sacred mysteries, carrying those who come to faith with love and nurturing them like children with spiritual nourishment and clear, comprehensible teaching. The prophet Isaiah further instructs us, saying, The path of the righteous is straight, and the way of the righteous is made smooth, for the way is the Lord's judgment (Isaiah 26:7, 8). He also proclaims the message of the divine Baptist, announcing: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight the paths of our God; every desert shall be filled, and every mountain and hill made low, the uneven ground will become level, and the rough places a plain (Is. 40:4, 8; cf. Lk. 7:4, 5). Therefore, for those who desire to approach Zion as a nurturing mother, the journey of faith will be without burden; this is illustrated by the gathering of sons into arms and daughters upon shoulders. Moreover, they will experience the utmost honor, glory, and abundance, as indicated by the phrase: Kings will be their guardians and princesses their caregivers. Indeed, the devotion of the rulers who believe in Christ bestows honor and favor upon them, making their leadership akin to that of providers. When they bow in reverence before Zion, symbolizing the Church, as they lay prostrate with outstretched hands and nearly kiss the ground at her feet, it is undeniable that enlightened by divine grace, these rulers will fulfill their duty to honor the faithful and regard those who believe in Christ as their own offspring. In this realization, Zion will no longer feel shame for being barren and childless but will instead be adorned with glory.
Thus declares the Lord God: Observe, I raise my hand to the tribes, and before the nations, I will display my banner. They shall carry your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be cradled upon their shoulders. Kings will be your caretakers, and queens your nurturers. With their faces to the ground, they will bow down before you and honor the dust at your feet. Then you will recognize that I am the Lord, and those who place their trust in Him shall not be disappointed. Concerning what the Church lamented, "I am barren and in captivity; I am forsaken and alone—where are my children?" The Lord responds, "Why are you astonished by these events?
You will not be amazed when you learn that I have raised My hand to the nations." As the saint proclaims, "You formed me; Your hand is upon me" (Psalm 138:5), and the Savior Himself states, "No one can snatch them out of My Father's hand" (John 10:29). The Apostle Peter encourages us to "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time" (1 Peter 3:6).
The hand raised toward the nations is the same hand of which the prophet says, "There shall be a root of Jesse, a rising up to possess the nations; in Him shall the Gentiles trust" (Isaiah 11:10). Not only will He raise His hand to the nations, but He will also uplift His banner among them—the banner of the cross—fulfilling the prophecy that "the earth shall be filled with His praises" (Abacuc 3:3) and declaring, "How majestic is Your name in all the earth" (Psalm 8:1). Then, the sons of Zion will be brought in arms or upon the breast, and the daughters shall be delivered on their shoulders. This reflects the example of Lazarus and all the saints resting in Abraham's bosom (Luke 16) and the souls of believers, whom the Apostle Paul describes as being nourished with milk (1 Corinthians 3:2). He also laments, "My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you" (Galatians 4:19). In another instance, he expresses that, "As the mother warmly tends her children, so longing for you, we impart not only the gospel of Christ but also our very souls" (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8).
Otherwise, it would be absurd, like the Jews, to bear aged sons and daughters on their hands and shoulders. Instead, the kings who nourish and the queens who care for the young clearly symbolize the apostles and those aligned with them. Such was Abraham, who was told, "You are a prince of God among us" (Genesis 23:6), a heart held in the hand of God (Proverbs 21:1). They proclaim to the faithful, "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk" (1 Peter 2:2). Furthermore, the title of princess, referring here to Sarah, and the queen or matriarch are highlighted. It is sung in the forty-fourth Psalm, "The queen stands at Your right hand in gold of Ophir" (Psalm 44:10), as she daily nurtures the children of Christ and leads them to maturity. Every age, gender, and rank will bow down to Zion for the sake of Him who dwells there. Since Christ is the Head of the Church, they worship Him, acknowledging His presence in the body.
When it is said to some, "Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool" (Psalm 99:5), it is not the footstool itself that is worshiped but an expression of reverence for His majesty. Therefore, why not honor the Church, which encompasses the entire body of Christ, fulfilling the prophecy that "all the isles of the Gentiles shall worship Him, each from their own place" (Zephaniah 2:11), ensuring that the faithful do not merely journey to Jerusalem once a year, but carry a piece of it in their hearts. The phrase "and to lick the dust of your feet" signifies that kings and princes will purify and bring order to all worldly affairs that cling to the Church's feet. This is why the apostles are commanded to shake the dust from their feet (Matthew 10). Peter learns that once cleansed, only his feet need further washing (John 13). Through these teachings, the Church understands that there is no other Lord but He in whom those who hope will receive eternal glory.
Thus declares the Lord God: Look, I extend my hand to the tribes, and I will lift up my standard before the nations. They will carry your sons in their arms, and your daughters will be cradled on their shoulders. Kings will serve as your guardians, and queens will nourish you. They will bow down with their faces to the ground and lick the dust from your feet; then you will know that I am the Lord, and those who place their trust in Him will not be put to shame. The church has lamented, "I am desolate and in captivity; who bore to me these sons? I feel forsaken and alone; where are they?" The Lord responds, "Why are you surprised that these things have occurred?
It should not astonish you to hear that I have lifted my hand to the nations." The holy one proclaims: "You made me, and you laid your hand upon me" (Psalm 138:5). The Savior Himself states: "No one can snatch them out of My Father's hand" (John 10:29). The Apostle Peter advises: "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God so that He may exalt you in due time" (1 Pet. 5:6). This hand uplifted to the nations is described by the prophet: "The root of Jesse shall stand as a signal for the peoples; him shall the nations seek" (Isaiah 11:10). He will not only extend His hand to the nations but will also establish His standard among them—undoubtedly, the standard of the cross—fulfilling the prophecy that "the earth will be filled with His glory" (Habakkuk 3:3) and that "Your name is excellent in all the earth" (Psalm 8:1). Then, the sons of Zion will be brought in their arms or close to their hearts, while their daughters will be delivered on their shoulders. Such was the case with Lazarus and all the saints resting in Abraham's bosom (Luke 16) and the souls of believers to whom the Apostle Paul declared, "I fed you with milk" (1 Cor. 3:2). In another instance, he said, "My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you" (Gal. 4:19). Furthermore, he expressed, "As a nurse cherishes her children, so we long for you; we were delighted to share with you not only the Gospel of God but our very lives" (1 Thess. 2:7-8). It would be absurd, like the actions of the Jews, to carry aged sons and daughters on one’s hands and shoulders. Yet, the nourishing kings and the queens and princesses who provide care clearly represent the apostles and their successors; this includes Abraham, of whom it was said, "You are a prince of God among us" (Genesis 23:6), whose heart is held in God's hand (Proverbs 21:1), declaring to the faithful: "As newborn infants, crave pure spiritual milk" (1 Pet. 2:2). The term "princess," relating to Sarah, highlights her noble status. The psalmist sings, "The queen stands at Your right hand in gold of Ophir" (Psalm 44:10), and she daily nurtures Christ’s children, empowering them to reach maturity. Every age, gender, and status shall bow to Zion for the sake of Him who dwells therein. If Christ is the head of the Church, they honor the head represented in the body. Though it is said, "Exalt the Lord our God; worship at His footstool" (Psalm 99:5), not to suggest that the footstool itself is worthy of worship, but rather to highlight the greatness of His feet—why then not honor the Church, which encompasses the entire body of Christ, to fulfill the words of Zephaniah: "All the coastlands of the nations shall worship Him, each one from his own place" (Zephaniah 2:11)? This implies that worshipers of the Lord should not attempt to travel to Jerusalem once a year but can keep their own jurisdictions sanctified. Furthermore, to "lick the dust of your feet" signifies that kings and rulers will provide and purify the earthly matters that cling to the feet of the Church. Thus, the apostles are instructed to shake off the dust from their feet (Matthew 10), and Peter is reminded that once washed, only the feet need cleansing (John 13). Through all this, the Church comprehends that there is no other Lord but Him in whom the faithful will find eternal glory.
The Sacred Space Today, individuals travel to Jerusalem to witness the revered sites of Christ's crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. This pilgrimage is inspired by their connection to this Church, united from every nation and sea, prompting rulers to provide support and kings to offer sustenance; the former supplying the foundation and the latter contributing their gifts. These monarchs themselves ensure nourishment for those who have dedicated their lives to the Almighty. (Isaiah 49:23.) The subsequent text further clarifies this reality: They shall bow down to thee with their faces to the ground, and shall lick the dust of thy feet, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord (Isaiah 49:23). <...> It is evident that this occurs daily, as people express their profound reverence for God by touching their foreheads to the ground in all the churches and kissing the thresholds.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS