Two Reasons to Rejoice – Isaiah 61:1-11
61 The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me, because Jehovah has anointed me to preach good news to those who are afflicted. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and freedom to the prisoners. (2) He has sent me to proclaim the year of Jehovah’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance. He has sent me to comfort all who mourn—(3) to minister to those who mourn in Zion: to bestow on them a crown of beauty in place of ashes, the oil of joy in place of mourning, the garment of praise in place of the spirit of despair. Then they will be called Oaks of Righteousness, planted by Jehovah, so that he may be glorified.
(4) They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places that were formerly devastated; they will repair the ruined cities that have lain devastated for generations. (5) Strangers will stand watch over your flocks and feed them; foreigners will work your fields and your vineyards. (6) But you will be called The Priests of Jehovah; men will identify you as The Ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of the nations, and you will boast in their riches. (7) In place of your shame you will receive a double portion—instead of suffering disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance. They will possess a double portion in their land and everlasting joy will be bestowed upon them; (8) because I, Jehovah, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them. (9) Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a family whom Jehovah has blessed.
(10) I rejoice greatly in Jehovah, my soul exults in my God; because he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has wrapped me in a robe of righteousness—like a bridegroom adorns his head with a turban like a priest and like a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (11) As the soil makes the sprouts to come up and a garden causes the seeds sown in it to grow, so will the Lord Jehovah cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all nations.
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
