Verses 1–3
ISAIAH - CHAPTER 61
MESSIAH’S MINISTRY
The very heart of this final section of Isaiah’s prophecy is set forth in the following three chapters. Here (ch. 61) is a beautiful description of the Messianic ministry of. our Lord Jesus. Initially directed to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 10:6; Matthew 15:24; Luke 15:4-6), the ministry is ultimately effective in the deliverance and restoration of the covenant-nation, (ch. 62). The prophet then announces "the day of vengeance" in which the Lord’s wrath will be poured out upon the enemies of righteousness - while mentioning the prayers and praise of the holy remnant in Israel, (ch. 63).
Throughout this prophecy there has been a blending of the near and the far - something that perplexed the prophets themselves (1 Peter 1:11). It will be well to remember that the speaker is NOT the prophet Isaiah, but "the anointed Servant" - identified in the New Testament as our Lord Jesus, the Christ.
Vs. 1-3: THE MESSIANIC MISSION
1. The anointing (unction) of the spirit, in the Old Testament, was used in the consecration of prophets, priests, and kings to their holy offices, (Leviticus 8:12; 1 Kings 1:34; 1 Kings 19:16); it symbolized the spiritual power whereby its recipient was both designated and qualified for his particular office, (vs. 1a; 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 10:6; 1 Samuel 16:13).
a. Jesus Christ read this passage in His home-synagogue at Nazareth and startled His audience by claiming: "this day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears", (Luke 4:16-21); it was not TOTALLY fulfilled that day, but continues, in perpetuity, in the ministry of the church "which is His body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all", (Ephesians 1:23).
b. He is the speaker in Isaiah 61.
c. It is the spirit of "Adonai Jehovah" that is upon Him, (Isaiah 11:1; Isaiah 48:16), that Jesus’ anointing, for His Messianic ministry, was publicly manifested in connection with His baptism, at the hands of John the Baptist, is deeply significant, (Matthew 3:13-17; John 1:29-34).
2. It is Jehovah Himself who has anointed the Servant for His task - such a task as never fell upon another among the sons of men, (Psalms 45:6-7). He was anointed:
a. To preach good tidings to the meek - the poor, needy, weak, afflicted and lonely, (Isaiah 11:4; Isaiah 29:19; Matthew 5:5).
b. To heal the broken-hearted, (Isaiah 57:15).
c. To proclaim Jubilee-liberty to those captivated in the darkness of spiritual bondage (Leviticus 25:10-13; Leviticus 27:24; Jeremiah 34:8-10; Ezekiel 46:17), and loosing from the grave those saints who have long awaited the vindication of their faith, (comp. Psalms 79:1-2; Psalms 79:8; Psalms 79:11; Psalms 102:13-22, etc.).
d. To proclaim the "acceptable year of the Lord" - an extended season wherein God’s grace and favor are to be extended to ALL MEN!
e. To proclaim "the day of God’s vengeance" - a relatively brief period wherein His wrath will be poured out, in righteous judgment, upon His enemies, (Isaiah 2:12; Isaiah 13:6; Isaiah 34:2; Isaiah 34:8).
f. To grant comfort and joy to those who mourn because of Zion’s wretchedness, (Jeremiah 31:13; Matthew 5:4; Isaiah 35:10; Isaiah 65:19; comp. Ezekiel 9:4-6 b).
1) Giving them an ornament (garland, or crown) of beauty instead of ashes - exaltation to share the rule of Messiah as they are comformed to His image in the beauty of holiness, (Romans 8:17-18; Psalms 110:2-3; 1 John 3:1-3).
2) Exchanging the oil of joy for their mourning, (Psalms 23:5).
3) Clothing them with the garment of praise instead of the spirit of heaviness (vs. 10).
3. Nothing short of the re-establishment of the NATION of Israel (the Theocracy of old), in a state of unprecedented blessedness, will satisfy the teachings of the prophets, (comp. Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 44:7-8; Ezekiel 34:11-13).
4. The people of Zion are, henceforth, to be called "trees of righteousness", which the Lord has planted for His own glory, (Isaiah 60:21; Jeremiah 17:7-8; comp. Psalms 1:3).