John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 60:6

"The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praises of Jehovah." — Isaiah 60:6 (ASV)

A multitude of camels shall cover thee. The Prophet describes figuratively the glory of the Church, and adapts his discourse to the time and to the people he was addressing. We must remember what we have often said: that the prophets considered the people whom they taught and therefore mentioned customary transactions and well-known ceremonies, so that, using them as figures, they might describe the spiritual worship of God.

The Jews must be instructed first, and afterwards the Gentiles, to whom the truth of these things has come. It is as if he said that nations far distant will come, with their wealth, into the power of God. For when he foretells that the Church will be enriched, this must not be understood as referring to individuals; but, on account of the unity of the Head and the members, what belongs to God and to Christ is transferred to the Church.

Foolishly, therefore, do the Jews, under the pretext of this prophecy, devour with their insatiable greed all the riches of the earth; and no less absurdly do the Papists distort these words to support their luxuries, wealth, and magnificence.

He mentions “camels, frankincense, gold, and sheep” because he has in mind what each country produces, in order to show that all will consecrate to God whatever they have in their power, and will offer themselves and all that they have as a sacrifice. From this it should be inferred that we cannot be truly converted to the Lord without offering to him all our abilities; for these are spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5), which he demands, and which cannot be refused to him if our hearts are dedicated and consecrated to him in sincerity (Romans 12:1).

Wicked men abuse the gifts of God for luxury and intemperance, and corrupt them, as much as they can, by unworthy profanation; but good men, by using them with a pure conscience, dedicate them to the Lord. No one, therefore, can belong to God without dedicating and devoting to him all that he has.