Isaiah 61 (v1-3)

The beginning of Isa. 61 has an important prophecy of the Messiah, half-quoted by Jesus in the synagogue of Nazareth (Lk. 4:18-19).  What is impressive is that Jesus only quoted through the first line of Isa. 61:2.  He was stating His purpose as Messiah to proclaim the gospel, bringing good news to the spiritually needy.  He did not go on to quote the rest of the prophecy (v2b-3) that promises vengeance on the ungodly and the restoration of the nation.  

Jesus fulfilled the part of the prophecy dealing with the gospel (the suffering of the Messiah) but the rest of it (the glory of the Messiah) awaits His return as the reigning King on David’s throne.  What is also interesting about Jesus’ reference to this prophecy in Nazareth is that it resulted in his first experience of rejection (Luke 4:28-30).  Nazareth was His home town, but they rejected Him even as His own people, the Jews, would reject Him later, and to this day (John 1:11).

Remember that in Isa. 59:16 God could not find anyone able to intercede for the repentant sinners.  He concluded that He Himself would do the work of the Redeemer.  In this chapter (61) we hear the Redeemer speak, the One on whom the Spirit of the Lord God has come to rest.  Jesus of Nazareth likewise fulfilled this prophecy.  It is recorded that the Spirit of God descended upon Him in an observable way, for all to see, at His baptism (Luke 3:21-22).  At that very moment God spoke from heaven, affirming that Jesus was “My beloved Son”.  

We learn something here about the faithfulness of God’s word.  He has already demonstrated His faithfulness in what was fulfilled in the Incarnation, the earthly life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth.  This has been fulfilled literally and with precision.  We must conclude that in the future He will also be faithful to His word.  God will fulfill literally and with precision the rest of Isa. 61.  

 ·        v3: Israel will be amazingly comforted and exalted.  Those who have mourned in their repeated afflictions will then rejoice.  We often sing these words as we reflect on our own salvation and our own experience of the blessings of the New Covenant.  God is saying here that the day will come when Israel will know this great joy.

 ·        v4-7: The nation will be rebuilt.  Israel will be blessed by the nations.  Having received double for her sins (40:2) she will receive a double portion of joy.

 ·        v8-11: And the One who will do all of this will be the Lord Himself.  While He will use the nations as well as the redeemed people of Israel, God will take the responsibility.  As the prophecy said (Isa. 9:7): The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this.

Friends, be confident in the word of our God.  Let us not waver in unbelief.  He has always kept His word; He always will, both to Israel and to the Church.