Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"To beautify the place of My sanctuary"
Text: Isaiah 60:13
GOD’S FOCUS ON HIS SANCTUARY
King David had planned with all his heart to build a beautiful sanctuary. Solomon was the king who carried out David’s plan. The Temple at Jerusalem was a truly magnificent edifice!
Sadly, with the passing of time, faith in the LORD was abandoned in favour of idolatry. The Temple was neglected badly. The beauty of the Temple was all but lost! In the LORD’s plan, He would restore the beauty of His sanctuary!
“The glory of Lebanon shall come to you,
The cypress, the pine, and the box tree together,
To beautify the place of My sanctuary;
And I will make the place of My feet glorious.
Also the sons of those who afflicted you
Shall come bowing to you,
And all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet;
And they shall call you The City of the LORD,
Zion of the Holy One of Israel.”
Isaiah 60:13-14
1. Majestic trees were called “the glory of Lebanon”.
2. The most significant tree was the cedar of Lebanon.
3. Other trees were also mentioned:
a) The cypress tree
b) The pine tree
c) The box tree
4. The wood from these trees would be utilised.
a) To beautify the sanctuary of God.
b) The land on which the Temple stood was but “for the feet of the LORD”.
c) It may be thought of as God’s footstool and thus it must also be glorious.
5. The sons of the conquerors of Israel.
a) They will acknowledge Israel.
b) They will humble themselves before the LORD.
c) In humility they will prostrate themselves.
d) They will have the highest regard for Jerusalem.
i) Jerusalem will be recognized as “The City of the LORD”.
ii) It will be acknowledged as “Zion of the Holy One of Israel”.
iii) Zion would no longer be despised by the Gentiles.