Isaiah 60:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is noted that they do not approach carelessly; rather, they soar as if quick and agile, casting aside earthly and base thoughts, ascending as though they were lifted from the sea, quickly rising above the distractions and pleasures of worldly life, and eagerly moving toward the ultimate heights.

While the church marvels at this great assembly of believers from all nations, the one who gathers them elucidates the reason for such an occurrence, proclaiming, "The isles are waiting for me, and the ships of Pharsis to bring thy children from afar, and their silver and gold with them." It is important to clarify that the term 'isles' does not refer to the physical land itself nor to the ships of Pharsis, but rather to the people who dwell on those islands. The Scriptures frequently refer to the Indian territories as Pharsis. Some, however, point to a city in Cyprus named Pharsis. Hence, when he mentions that the isles and those from the Indian lands await him, he is indicating their readiness to submit to the yoke he has set upon them, resulting in a gathering of believers from all corners.

Even from the most remote and heathen lands, many arrive, bearing the name of Christ and producing fruit for His glory from whatever their nations provide, which is said to be abundant in gold and silver. They come not as before to offer to lifeless idols and hoards of demons, but they present themselves to the holy name of the Lord, making offerings that are glorious because of the Holy One of Israel—not as two separate entities, but as one and the same, both Lord and Holy, and worthy of praise.

It should also be noted that cities adjacent to great and uninhabited deserts may likewise be called islands. If it were stated that these areas wait for the Lord, meaning they serve Him, we can understand that the inhabitants of remote and isolated regions will come in faith, offering to Christ not material wealth, but rather the most precious and commendable gifts they possess: faith and the shining example of every virtue. Such offerings must be those worthy of God and fit for spiritual worship, magnificent and admirable. As it is written in the Psalms about Christ, our Savior, "The kings of Pharsis and the isles shall bring gifts; the kings of Arabia and Saba shall offer presents; and all the kings of the earth shall worship him; all the nations shall serve him" (Psalm 71:10, 11).

In contrast, sin is burdensome, as a prophet remarks, burdened ‘over the talent of tin that sitteth.’ However, if anyone perceives such an interpretation of history as far-fetched or unsuitable, and rejects the notion that the miracle of the sea crossing serves our benefit, let them heed the Apostle's words that these events occurred as symbols; they were recorded for our edification, in light of the last days having come upon us (1 Cor 10:11).

When the Lord ascended into Egypt on a light cloud and commanded the clouds through the prophets not to rain upon Israel, the Church, originally gathered from the people of the circumcision, marvels that a multitude from all nations rushes to it. Having received the wings of the Holy Spirit, they hasten, as noted by Symmachus and Theodotion, to their nestlings, and according to Aquila, to their thresholds, to join the Church. Likewise, teachers alongside their students, akin to doves with their young, come to the Church from the Gentile islands, which the prophets foretold were waiting for the Lord. Furthermore, the ships of Tarshish, as previously discussed in the vision of Tyre, will carry their children to the Church at the dawn of faith, bringing gold and silver. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation. Concerning this gold and silver, it is written in the sixtieth-seventh Psalm: "the wings of the dove are covered with silver, and her pinions with shimmering gold," and in the seventy-first Psalm: "the kings of Tarshish and the isles shall bring gifts; the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer their gifts." All these offerings come in the name of the Lord God and the Holy One of Israel, who will be glorified.

The virtuous person, akin to a wise judge, governs their senses as if they were under his authority, perceives temptations before they arise, and in the face of threats, shuts the windows of his body to death by declaring, I have made a covenant with my eyes, that I should not think of a maiden (Job 31:1).