Isaiah 61:1-11
Q.1. How did Jesus apply this Scripture to declare that He was the promised Messiah? Has all this prophecy been fulfilled? What does this passage mean to you? – (Isa.61:1-3 c.f. Lk.4:16-21)
Isaiah was aware that he was delivering Good News of deliverance and restoration to Israel (Isa.61:1). However, before this, there would be – the day of vengeance of our God (Isa.61:2). As we so often discover, these prophecies looked to a future fulfilment. We are not left to wonder to Whom it applied, and when. It was Jesus Who opened this portion of Scripture as He returned to Nazareth and began His ministry … and applied it to Himself (Lk.4:16-17, 21). However, He stopped mid-sentence with that part which was yet future – the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. They will be called the oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified (Is.61:2-3). That will not occur until after the Great Tribulation. The comfort will come for Israel after that. The opening verses hold the secret of evangelism. Though Jesus would give His life for the whole world, His salvation is relevant for those who see their need – The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners (Isa.61:1). This Scripture has challenged me to look for, and be sensitive to the needy (i.e. afflicted, broken-hearted, captives, prisoners, & mourners). The further we move into the Last Days, the more people there will be who are bruised and broken.
Q.2. How would these promises have encouraged the soon to be exiled Israelites? Did God make His purpose for chastening clear? What promises did God make to His people? – (Isa.61:4-9)
Judah was facing devastation and exile. God’s vengeance would be poured out on Israel. Yet they were given a message of hope, when – … they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified (Isa.61:3). God was promising a bright future for His people and – Instead of your shame you will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore, they will possess a double portion in their land, everlasting joy will be theirs (Isa.61:7). Though – I will faithfully give them their recompense … He would – make an everlasting covenant with them (Isa.61:8). God’s chastening was to bring permanent renewal and restoration. They will then be known as a special people among all the nations (Isa.61:9 c.f. Zech.8:22-23). PERSONAL TESTIMONY: God called me into the ministry from Luke 4:14-19 back in March 1965. Here Jesus was quoting from Isaiah 61. I have come to realize that this has been a blueprint for my ministry life, including Prospect/Oakden Baptist Church, Adelaide College of Ministries, and Cedar College. It started when God challenged us to go door knocking through the community, back in May 1977. We continued until 1995, as we prepared to relocate to Northgate and establish Cedar College. It has included training and developing faithful men and women to spread the Gospel, with over two hundred and fifty graduates serving in eleven countries as missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders in local churches. Truly – 4 they will rebuild the ancient ruins, they will raise up the former devastations; And they will repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations. 5 Strangers will stand and pasture your flocks, and foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers. 6 But you will be called the priests of the Lord; You will be spoken of as ministers of our God (Isa.61:4-6 c.f. Isa.58:11-12). All praise to the Lord.
Q.3 What change will God bring to His people? On what basis will God achieve this? How certain is God’s promise to the nation of Israel? – (Isa.61:10-11)
Isaiah presented a picture of a transformed people and exclaimed – I will rejoice greatly in the Lord. My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness. As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels (Isa.61:10). This is entirely the doing of the Lord and is guaranteed to happen just – as the earth brings forth and sprouts, and as a garden causes all things sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all nations (Isa.61:11 c.f. 1 Cor.1:30). This will come to pass just as the seasons come and go, and the earth brings forth life (c.f. Gen.8:22).