ISAIAH CHAPTER 61

The mission of the Servant of the Lord, Messiah of Israel, our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ, comes before us in a very striking manner. The anointed Servant of God is bringing good tidings to the humble that their enslavement is about to end. As the chapter opens, I think it’s interesting that you have the Trinity involved with God the Father, God the Son, “Upon me” and God the Holy Spirit all in one statement. The ministry of Jesus of Nazareth opened with the words of Isaiah 61. After John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, Jesus went through His temptation in the wilderness and then went up through Judea into Galilee, into the city where He grew up. He went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day and was handed the Book of Isaiah the Prophet and read from Isaiah 61:1 unto the middle of the sentence of verse two, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18,19) Luke 4:20 states clearly that He closed the Book, sat down and said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” The reason why He stopped in the middle of the sentence was this covered what He came to do at His first coming. The rest of the sentence carries us on into the Day of the Lord after this present day, which is a day of vengeance and judgment. The Old Testament Prophets did not see the Church age as a valley between two mountain ranges viewed from a distance, which has lasted 2,000 years up to this point.

The glorious appearing of the Messiah as viewed in Zechariah 14 and the Book of Revelation is coming as predicted by the writers of the Holy Scriptures.

The message of comfort and blessing the Lord brings will be fulfilled literally for all Israel after the judgments of the Day of the Lord have been poured out upon the wicked. The good news is that the soul who trusts in Christ may enjoy these spiritual blessings as we experience the reality of His presence with us now. The term, comfort means to strengthen by companionship, and in this we see our Heavenly Father taking us by the hand and guiding us through the gloom of this world. I like the words of the song, which states, “I can’t even walk without Him holding my hand.” Notice those who wore the “ashes of mourning shall obtain a garland of joy.” The promise is then given that they shall be called the “Oaks of righteousness.” This garment of righteousness is the result of being anointed with the oil of the Holy Spirit and Paul in Romans 8:9 makes it clear that all true Christians have the Spirit of Christ.

The promise that the Holy Land will be rebuilt, repaired and restored is the subject of Isaiah 61:4-7. It’s worth noting that Gentiles out of love for the Lord will work in harmony with the children of Israel in rebuilding the land. In Exodus 19:6, the children of Israel were called to be “a Kingdom of Priests.” During the Millennium Israel will be a priesthood of believers; thus God’s original intention will be fulfilled. There is coming a day when the Jewish Nation will experience a double share of joy or honor in her own land. This all leads to the acknowledgement by the nations of the world that the Jews are God’s people whom He has blessed.

In Isaiah 61:9-12, we learn that those who enter the Millennial Kingdom will marry, have families, and enjoy God’s blessing for a 1,000 years. The redeemed and restored Israel will be acknowledged as God’s people, who He has blessed. Just as seed planted in good soil brings forth new growth, so the Lord shall cause righteousness and glory to come forth from Israel. And all nations will witness what “The Lord Jehovah” has accomplished for His people.