Isaiah 61
Messenger of freedom
On a mission from God to the poor
1God put his Spirit inside me. [1]
The LORD anointed me for this mission.
He sent me to deliver good news to the poor,
To heal broken spirits,
To declare all captives free,
And to free those in prison.
- This is the year of God’s kindness.
- This is the day God clears our name.
And I’m here to comfort the grieving.
I’m here to crown their heads with flowers instead of ashes, [2]
To refresh them with holiday oil of happiness instead of mourning.
To dress them in a spirit of thanks instead of discouragement.
They will become known as the orchard of Good Trees.
It’s planted by the LORD
And an expression of his honor.
Immigrants at work
4They’ll rebuild over the ancient ruins.
They’ll undo devastation of the past.
They’ll rebuild their cities,
That sat devastated for generations.
Immigrants will plow their fields and tend the vines.
6Outsiders will call them a nation of priests,
Servants and ministers of God.
Nations abroad will bring them treasures
And honors that accompany such wealth.
7These people were double-dipped in shame,
Twice what they deserved.
So, they’ll be reimbursed double the share, [3]
Of the land that they’ll always own.
8I’m the LORD and I love justice.
I hate robbery and corruption.
I’ll give victims the justice they deserve.
And I’ll make a forever-binding agreement with them.
9Nations will recognize these people
As a unique and distinguishing group.
Outsiders will watch them and realize
That they live under the blessing of God.
Thanking God for his kindness
10I’m celebrating because of the LORD.
I’m overwhelmed by my God.
He dresses me in honor:
Clothes of salvation and rescue,
And a robe that says I’m good with God.
He dresses me in honor:
I’m a groom dressed for a wedding.
I’m a bride adorned in her jewels.
And the earth will help them grow.
The LORD produces goodness and praise.
Nations will see them grow.
Footnotes
This is the famous passage Jesus quoted in his hometown of Nazareth when the locals reacted by trying to throw him off the nearby cliff. Jesus told the people in a worship service that he fulfilled this prediction of Isaiah (Luke 4:21). Many Jews in the time of Jesus considered this chapter the mission statement of a future messiah—a kingly savior who would drive out the Roman occupying forces and restore the independence of Israel. Jews wanted another warrior king like David, who overpowered his enemies and expanded the borders of Israel, even into Philistine territory.
People in mourning would sometimes throw ashes over their heads and bodies. It was one of many ancient customs in mourning.
People returning from the Babylonian exile in the 500s BC could have taken more land than before because not many Jews initially returned. By the time Persian King Cyrus freed them, they had been living abroad for a generation, about 50 years. What is now Iraq and Iran had become their new home. Many stayed. Some of their descendants are presumably still there, among the minority.
Discussion Questions
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