ARISE! SHINE!

Isaiah 60:1 ff Isaiah begins this with two simple words: Arise! Shine! It seems simple enough on the onset. We read these words in the English and think we have a grip on the meaning. But, what we find, is that the meaning of just about any word in THE WORD is deeper than a simple one word definition like ARISE! or SHINE!

Now, let me comment on the languages God chose to write the original scriptures in. Hebrew and Greek are two of the most expressive languages ever written. They go deeper than surface meaning. They both paint pictures that explain what kind of context we should be coming from when we read. That also brings up who God is speaking to through Isaiah. At first, considering I began to study this verse because it was a prophetic word concerning the Star of Bethlehem's appearance the night of the Nativity, we would automatically think it was alluding to the star when, in fact, Isaiah hasn't quite gotten to the star yet! This prophecy was addressed to the Jews and, more precisely, to believers. SO, what we find is that these first words were directed to the people of God.

On top of all of this, both of these words were written in the IMPERATIVE which means they are not mere suggestions. They are not left up for your decision. They are both orders given by our God directly to us. Like marching orders from a military commander to his troops. The Hebrew word for ARISE here;

קוּם quwm {koom} Strong's Concordance #6965 It denotes a movement usually from a seated or prone position. What we see first is a simple GET UP. In plain English, if you will, it's telling the people of God to get off their behind!! And seeing as it's a COMMAND, we should add AND QUICK! Also, the word denotes taking a stand; confirming, ratifying, establishing. To make binding a decision. God is telling us here to get up and take a stand! This denotes that the army of God, if you will, is getting ready to move out. Our Lord and General is telling us to come to attention, ready ourselves for war and be ready to move out! I think it is worth mentioning that God spoke this word several times to several of his key spiritual leaders. Genesis 13:7 Abram had just separated himself from his nephew, Lot, and went to dwell in the land of Caanan. God spoke to him and told him to ARISE and walk the width and breadth of the land! He was, once again, ratifying the covenant between HIM and Abram. Deut. 9:12 Moses is told to ARISE and go and do something about the Hebrews because they were worshiping the golden calf. Joshua 1:2 Moses is dead and Joshua is told to ARISE and cross the Jordan; taking the land that God had promised Abram so long ago. I Samual 9:3/16:12 The same word is used leading up to the coronations of both Saul and David as King. (Once again Ratifying it) Jonah 1:2 It was also used in God's call of Jonah to Nineveh. Isaiah 52:1 In a wake up to chapter 60, God says AWAKE! AWAKE! PUT ON YOUR STREGNTH, O ZION!

The Hebrew word for SHINE: אוֹר 'owr {ore} Stong's Concordance #0215 This seems simple enough; just like ARISE. But we see quickly that, if this is leveled at the people of God, it takes on new meaning. When we considered Isaiah 60 only a prophecy of the Bethlehem Star, we were safe to assume the shining was done by the sign in the sky. But, now, if ARISE was a command to us as believers, then SHINE is also a command! In the Imperative also and, thus, an order, God here has called his army to get up, prepare for battle and,now, he tells them what he wants them to do: SHINE!

God wants us to get up from our complacence and do something. Make a stand and make it known! This word is the same used in Genesis to describe God bringing light into a dark world. And here he is again describing just that! HIS light coming into a dark world!! more to come....