Isaiah 61
Summary for Isa 61:1-3: 61:1-3 a The servant here proclaims the good news that his ministry will restore Zion. The Lord Jesus applied these words to his own mission (Luke 4:18-19 b). 61:1 c The presence of God’s Spirit ensures the success of the servant’s mission (see 11:1-5 d; 42:1 e).• The servant will restore and heal the marginalized poor and the brokenhearted (see 25:4 f).
61:2 g The time of the Lord’s favor is the day of God’s salvation (see 49:8 h).
• the day of God’s anger: God now turns his wrath against the enemies of his people. It will be a day of righteous vengeance (see 34:8 i; 63:3-4 j).
61:3 k Putting ashes on one’s head was a sign of mourning (note the reversal of the judgment stated in 3:16-25 l). Mourning would be replaced by joy. The words translated crown of beauty and ashes form a wordplay in Hebrew.
• joyous blessing (literally oil of gladness): A face covered with oil was a sign of blessing and well-being (see Pss 45:8 m; 133:2 n).
• The remnant would start out as small offshoots but would grow into great oaks (see Isa 60:21 o).
61:6 p priests ... ministers: The nation would fulfill its original calling (Exod 19:6 q).
61:7 r The people had suffered God’s wrath for their sins (40:2 s); now they would receive a double share of God’s blessing.
61:8 t Those who belong to the community of God’s people are to imitate the character of God, who loves justice (see Mic 6:8 u) and hates wrongdoing (Isa 33:15 v).
61:9 w Their descendants: The covenant will be effective from generation to generation.
• The Lord has blessed them in fulfillment of his promise to Abraham (Gen 12:1-2 x; see Isa 65:23 y).
61:10 z clothing of salvation ... robe of righteousness: With great joy God will clothe his people with the benefits of his salvation and righteousness (see 51:5 aa; 56:1 ab), like a bridegroom ... or a bride (see 49:18 ac; 62:5 ad; Jer 2:32 ae; 7:34 af; 16:9 ag; 25:10 ah; 33:11 ai).
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