Isaiah 61:1-3
The Servant of the Lord has been anointed to carry out this task of bringing about the good news. This is the prophet, and likely Isaiah speaking of his role for that moment in time. When Jesus identifies Himself as this servant when He begins His public ministry by reading this passage (Luke 4:18-22), He is taking the place of that prophet to proclaim this. Isaiah is looking forward to Christ. Jesus is the ultimate and final fulfillment of the passage. Isaiah outlined this work:
- Preach, be a herald to announce and proclaim for all to hear.
- Healer to those who are brokenhearted
- Liberty for those who are captive and in bondage, imprisoned by their sin.
- To proclaim by way of formal announcement the Day of the Lord.
- A day of vengeance for the Lord's enemies.
- A time of comfort Zion in the afflction.
- As preparation for a great feast:
- Beauty (a headdress) replaces the ashes of sorrow.
- The oil of joy is worn in place of mourning
- The spirit of heaviness is removed and replaced by a garment of praise.
The trees of righteousness (Psalm 1) will come from the Branch, the planting of the Lord.
24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. (John 12:24)
Isaiah 61:4-7
Jerusalem shall be rebuilt. To those folks, in that day, they heard of the judgment and destruction to come. They were now told of this day on the horizon. There is a near fulfillment and far fulfillment in this. The far fulfillment will be the final in the millennial reign.
The foreigner would no longer oppress them, but be in service to them. Israel would become mediators between God and the nations, by way of Jesus Christ. Redemption came through the Jews to the gentiles. They would be a nation of priests; a kingdom of priests. Their inheritance will come from the riches of the gentiles. This will be their double portion provide by the Lord.
Isaiah 61:8-9
The Lord makes His love for justice clear. The lack of justice was central to the charges He brought against them. Some manuscripts read 'with a burnt offering' or 'In a burnt offering'. Regardless of 'for', 'with', or 'in' the idea of covering their blatant injustice with an offering was offensive. In this future time they would be under God's watchcare as they would be in a new covenant relationship; seen as restored or a replacement of David's covenant promises (Psalm 89:33-35).
The descendants of Israel will be the posterity of the promise. They would experience this in play in their lives. Their lives and existence would display the greatness of Almighty God and His ability to do this work.
Isaiah 61:10-11
This is an amazing little passage. The people of God rejoice, finding their joy in Him as a right response to the salvation brought by Him. What a great gift, a undeserved gift from His kindness and goodness. But not only that, He also clothed us in righteousness, something totally foreign to us. These robes of salvation and righteousness are portrayed as the preparation of the bride and groom for them being joined together. What an amazing glimpse at the church. The Lord plants these seeds that will one day bring righteousness and praise.
©2018 Doug Ford
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