¹² Merchants are not the only ones on the move. Shepherds too are flocking to Zion. The prophecy goes on to say: “All the flocks of Kedar​—they will be collected together to you. The rams of Nebaioth​—they will minister to you.” (Isaiah 60:7a) Pastoral tribes are coming to the holy city to offer the best from their flocks to Jehovah. They even offer themselves to minister to Zion! How does Jehovah receive these foreigners? God himself answers: “With approval they will come up upon my altar, and I shall beautify my own house of beauty.” (Isaiah 60:7b) Jehovah graciously accepts the offerings and the service of these foreigners. Their presence beautifies his temple.

Did you notice, though, that according to verse 7, the new arrivals “come up upon [God’s] altar”? An altar is where sacrifices are made, and this feature of the prophecy reminds us that Jehovah’s service involves sacrifice. The apostle Paul wrote: “I entreat you . . . to present your bodies a sacrifice living, holy, acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason.” (Romans 12:1) In harmony with Paul’s words, genuine Christians are not satisfied with merely attending religious services once a week. They give of their time, energy, and resources to promote pure worship. Does not the presence of such devoted worshipers beautify Jehovah’s house? Isaiah’s prophecy said that it would. And we can be sure that such zealous worshipers are, in turn, beautiful in Jehovah’s eyes.