Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.
The prophet commands: "Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee." This echoes Genesis 13:14-15 where God commanded Abraham to survey his inheritance. The panoramic vision encompasses gathering multitudes—God's people returning and nations streaming to Zion. "Thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side" pictures the restoration of scattered Israel and the incorporation of Gentiles into the covenant community. "Nursed at thy side" (al-tsad teamannah) suggests tender care and intimacy—these are not second-class citizens but beloved children. From a Reformed perspective, this describes the ingathering of the elect—both Jews and Gentiles becoming one in Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22). The "sons" and "daughters" are all who come to faith, adopted into God's family (Romans 8:15-17, Galatians 3:26-29). The church militant experiences partial fulfillment as converts join from all nations; the church triumphant will see complete fulfillment when the full number of the elect is gathered (Romans 11:25-26).
Historical Context
This addressed the post-exilic community awaiting the return of Jews still scattered throughout the Persian Empire and beyond. Some returned under Ezra and Nehemiah, but many remained in diaspora. The prophecy looked beyond immediate return to the Messianic age when both scattered Jews and believing Gentiles would be gathered into one people (John 11:51-52, Acts 15:14-18). The early church saw itself fulfilling this as Jews and Gentiles united in Christ (Galatians 3:28-29, Ephesians 2:14-18).
Questions for Reflection
How does the vision of sons and daughters from all directions being gathered reflect God's electing love?
What does it mean that Gentiles are 'nursed at the side' rather than being peripheral to God's purposes?
How should the reality of the elect being gathered from all nations shape our understanding of the church?
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Analysis & Commentary
The prophet commands: "Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee." This echoes Genesis 13:14-15 where God commanded Abraham to survey his inheritance. The panoramic vision encompasses gathering multitudes—God's people returning and nations streaming to Zion. "Thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side" pictures the restoration of scattered Israel and the incorporation of Gentiles into the covenant community. "Nursed at thy side" (al-tsad teamannah) suggests tender care and intimacy—these are not second-class citizens but beloved children. From a Reformed perspective, this describes the ingathering of the elect—both Jews and Gentiles becoming one in Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22). The "sons" and "daughters" are all who come to faith, adopted into God's family (Romans 8:15-17, Galatians 3:26-29). The church militant experiences partial fulfillment as converts join from all nations; the church triumphant will see complete fulfillment when the full number of the elect is gathered (Romans 11:25-26).