Isaiah 60:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This message is directed towards the spiritual Jerusalem, representing the Church, which initially consisted of Jews, the first to embrace faith: “Lift up thy eyes round about, and see thy children gathered together: behold, all thy sons are come from afar, and thy daughters shall be raised up on the ramparts.” This signifies that He summons believers from every nation and land, drawing them to the grace offered through faith, akin to citizens flocking to a fortified city—the Church.

Indeed, the same is expressed elsewhere: in the last days, the mountain of the Lord will be established above all mountains, and many nations will come forth, saying, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will show us his way, and we will walk in it” (Micah 4:1-2; Isaiah 2:2-3). The children of Jerusalem extend beyond the descendants of Israel; they include all those called from various nations to the light of the truth. As the wise Paul indicates, “Not all who are of Israel are Israel: neither are all the children of Abraham’s seed, but the children of the promise are counted among the seed” (Romans 9:6-8). God also promised Abraham, “I will be a father of many nations” (Rom. 4:17; Gen. 17:5). Thus, as the Gentiles gather in great numbers to honor Christ, the call is made to lift one’s eyes, signifying an embrace of the entire world, recognizing that children from every corner are approaching—a return not just in location but in heart and spirit.

The holy prophet encourages those who seek to understand God in His true essence: “If you remember the Lord from afar, let Jerusalem come to your heart” (Jeremiah 51:50). Paul also declares that Christ came to preach peace to those who were far off and to those who were near (Eph. 2:17). He addresses the Gentile believers, reminding them of their past: “Think ye, ye Gentiles, ye who are called the uncircumcised by that which is called the circumcision made in the flesh by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus, ye who were once far off are made near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:11-13). Therefore, those who did not know the true God are indeed distant in both thought and disposition. However, their calling will soon be realized, and they will hasten towards God through faith, not through strife or difficulty, for they will ascend in grace.

This imagery is akin to newborns resting in their mothers' arms. Similarly, those called out from error are nurtured gradually, not forced into hardship. Instead, they are treated with gentleness until they grow into maturity, aligned with Christ's fullness. Consequently, the Lord commanded His holy apostles to baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, instructing them to observe all His teachings (Matthew 28:20). In fulfilling this commission, they did not impose burdensome requirements on the believers but instead affirmed that the Holy Spirit and the community reached a consensus: “It is the will of the Holy Spirit and of us, that nothing burdensome be laid upon you, except that you abstain from fornication” (Acts 15:28-29). Paul eloquently states, “I have fed you with milk, and not with solid food: for hitherto you were not able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 3:2). Those who are mature partake of solid nourishment, having trained their senses through sustained learning to discern good from evil (Heb. 5:14). Thus, it is said, “Thy sons and thy daughters shall rise up” and you will witness and, in moments, be awed rather than afraid. The divine Abbakum expresses, “Lord, I have heard Thy report, and I am afraid; and Lord, I have perceived Thy works, and I am terrified” (Hebrews 3:1).

At times, we find ourselves astonished by unexpected occurrences. Yet, the cause of this amazement lies in the richness of nations and peoples drawn to you. This serves as a clear sign that a multitude of Gentiles will be called to embrace the truth. The land of the Jews is situated at the earth's southern edge, with the northern and western territories occupied by Gentile nations. However, as these nations turn away from their former errors to pursue the true God, he foretells that the riches of the sea shall be brought forth to the Church. The wealth, as previously mentioned, comprises those residing in coastal cities and lands. “And herds of camels shall come unto thee,” referring to the Midianites and Gepharites, neighboring nations that, though previously hostile and idolatrous, will also be beckoned to bear fruit for God. Riding on camels, they will approach, bringing what they possess, and honoring God with their offerings. From Sava, they will come heralding the glory of God, adorned with gold and precious stones, proclaiming God’s salvation. Sava, a region rich in frankincense, gold, and precious stones, recalls the visit of the Queen of Sheba during Solomon’s reign (3 Kings 10:1-13). They will arrive to honor God with their deeds and spiritual riches, proclaiming the Lord's salvation, for many have been called from among the Gentiles, recognized for their wisdom in understanding sacred truths, thus attaining the vocation of teachers. As they share the salvation and grace of Christ, our Savior, they receive glory.

“The sheep of Kidar and the sheep of Nabeoth shall come unto thee,” proclaiming that they will ascend in joy to My altar. Kidar and Nabeoth represent other prosperous lands known for their abundant pastures and large populations, yet steeped in idolatry and error. Nonetheless, they too will offer sheep and lambs, bringing their sacrifices to My altar, which delight the Lord despite the former prohibitions under the law of Moses. In Christ Jesus, distinctions dissolve, for there is neither slave nor free, Gentile nor Jew; all are one in Him (Galatians 3:28). Two peoples merge in Him, as He dismantled barriers and abolished commandments in His sacrificial love (Eph. 2:15). Thus, the sacrifices of all who come to God in faith are now accepted, elevating God’s house of prayer. This is an essential distinction; the Church is not merely a place of sacrifice and rituals like the temple in Jerusalem, but rather a sanctuary for spiritual communion. The divine David recognized this, saying, “Let my prayer be made as incense before Thee” (Psalm 140:2). The Messiah Himself pointed this out when condemning the merchants in the Temple, stating, “It is written: My house shall be called a house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:13). Thus, when the Temple became a place of prayer, its glory was restored.

Midian and Ephah are countries beyond Arabia, known for their abundance of camels, as the wider region is referred to as Sheba, where the Queen of Sheba came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, bringing gold and incense to the peaceful king and receiving much in return. Kedar is representative of the Saracens, also called Ishmaelites in the Holy Scripture, while Nabaioth is one of Ishmael's sons, after whom the desert is named, barren in produce but rich in livestock. Thus, the conversion of the whole world is symbolized by the names of foreign nations surrounding Israel. In this context, Midian represents iniquity, Ephah symbolizes denial or being poured out, Sheba signifies conversion or captivity, Kedar stands for darkness, and Nabaioth indicates prophecy. Hence, the herds of camels, freed from the chains of iniquity and pouring out their souls before God, will cover Jerusalem with offerings, emerging from their bondage and transformation, bringing the gold of faith and the incense of worship. These offerings, driven not only by their own salvation, will flourish so much that they will share the salvation of God with others. The rich man described in the Gospel, who bore the weight of wealth like a camel, refused the Lord's counsel and remained burdened, unable to ascend like a dove to heaven. Of this type of camel, the Savior remarked: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:24). He highlighted the challenge, not the impossibility. Thus, your mother Paul and your brother Pammachios, of blessed memory, navigated through the eye of the needle, that is, the narrow path that leads to life, entering the kingdom of heaven while abandoning the wide road with its burdens leading to perdition. Alternatively, they dedicated everything they owned as offerings to the Lord, fulfilling the scripture, The ransom of a man's life is his riches (Proverbs 13:8). For what seems impossible to men is possible with God (Matthew 19). Those who prioritize gold and incense in their offerings and declare: Let my prayer be set before You like incense (Psalm 140:2) and: We are the fragrance of Christ everywhere (2 Corinthians 2:15), through their virtuous example, daily proclaim the salvation of the Lord, ensuring that all the flocks of Kedar gather in the Church and escape the darkness of error, while the lambs of the prophets, as sung in the 28th Psalm, respond: Bring to the Lord, O sons of God, bring to the Lord the sons of sheep (Psalm 28:1), presenting themselves as offerings, favorably accepted sacrifices, that the Church of Christ may be exalted. Regarding this kind of sheep, the Savior directed His disciples: Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 10:6), and again: My sheep hear My voice (John 10), while Ezekiel further proclaims: Behold, I will gather My sheep, and I will care for them as a shepherd does his flock. The Lord declares: I will seek the lost, and bring back the strayed, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak (Ezekiel 34:11-12; Ezekiel 34:16). To clarify the identity of these sheep, He further states: They will know that I am the Lord their God, and these are My people, the house of Israel, says the Lord Adonai. You are My sheep, the sheep of My pasture, and I am your God (Ezekiel 34:30-31). Therefore, if anyone among the nations is wealthy, let him be saved like a camel, but not without offerings, that he may proclaim the word of the Lord. And if any person possesses the simplicity of sheep and the strength of rams, let him ascend or be offered on the Lord’s altar by those who are stronger, that His house may be glorified. What is noted in Hebrew – The sheep of Nabaioth shall serve you and will be offered on My pleasing altar – is understood to refer to those chosen from among the Gentiles for service, becoming ministers of the Savior. Yet if someone enjoys debate and claims that this is promised in a literal sense, we respond: We have no such custom, nor the churches of God (1 Corinthians 11:16), asserting that, even if it is promised to the Jews literally, it is contingent upon their acceptance of the light that was sent to them. Only then will they receive these gifts, provided that they do not let their fixation on gold and worldly wealth—captive influences upon this people—prevent them from accepting the Son of God. Since they did not embrace Him, everything has been lost, and the spiritual inheritance has been granted to those who have welcomed Him.