Isaiah Sixty One

by Dr. Henry M. Morris

(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)

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Isaiah 61:1 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;

good tidings unto the meek. This Scripture was fulfilled in Luke 4:17-19. Note that Jesus came to “preach the gospel” to the meek, not the arrogant, and to bind up the broken-hearted, not the hard-hearted.

opening of the prison. The phrase “opening of the prison” in this verse is one word in the Hebrew, used only this one time in the Old Testament. It had two fulfillments, one physical and one spiritual. He came to set free those under bondage to sin spiritually, but He also descended in the Spirit to Hades, from which prison, when “He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive.” See notes on Ephesians 4:8, 9.

Isaiah 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

day of vengeance. When Jesus appropriated this affirmation (Isaiah 61:1, 2) as fulfilled in Himself (Luke 4:16-21), He stopped quoting it just before “the day of vengeance of our God.” This final aspect of His work will be accomplished at His second coming (Isaiah 63:4).

Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Isaiah 61:4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

Isaiah 61:5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.

Isaiah 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

Priests of the Lord. The redeemed Israelites will become a “kingdom of priests,” as promised long ago (Exodus 19:6). The same honor is to be given to all who believe on Christ (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6).

Isaiah 61:7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.

everlasting joy. The promise of eternal joy to the redeemed people is found also in Isaiah 35:10; 51:11).

Isaiah 61:8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

Isaiah 61:9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

garments of salvation. A beautiful Biblical metaphor for salvation is that of divinely provided clothing, such as that provided by God for Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21). Man-made clothing is like their fig leaves (Genesis 3:7), and is no better than filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). It is also pictured in the wedding garment which was essential for attendance at the prince's wedding (Matthew 22:12-13). If we would participate in “the marriage of the Lamb,” we must be “arrayed in fine linen, clean and white ... the righteousness of saints,” as provided by Christ (Revelation 19:7-8; Ephesians 2:10). We are exhorted even now to “put on thy beautiful garments” (Isaiah 52:1), and be prepared to come into the presence of our king.

Isaiah 61:11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.