Study notes

Isaiah 61

Introducing IsaiahWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

54:1–66:24 Section

The last chapters in Isaiah described what would happen to people who did things God hated. God hated it when his people only acted as if they worshipped and obeyed him. But what they actually did was commit murder. They told lies and treated needy people badly. God hated it when people made evil plans and worshipped false gods. God longed for his people to stop sinning and to obey him. God described his longing like holding out his hands to welcome a stubborn nation.

God promised to bring judgement against his people for their sins. They would suffer and would be put to shame. He also invited them to change so that they could live. He described this like buying food and drink from him at a market. But God gave the food and drink for free. That showed how deeply God wanted them to turn back to him and be forgiven.

The last chapters in Isaiah also described what would happen to people who obeyed God. People who obeyed were humble, trusted God and wanted to be taught by him. They would be blessed and would be welcome in God’s house. That was another name for the temple. God promised to live with anyone who turns away from their sins. This promise applied to people from Jacob’s family line, to outsiders and to people from all nations. They would possess God’s holy mountain of Zion. This meant that they could live in the land where God ruled as King.

God described the light and brightness and new day of Jerusalem. He was talking about something more than the time when people returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. God described a completely new work that he would do. He would create new heavens and a new earth. In the new heavens and new earth, everyone would honour God. This was described as people from all over the world coming to Jerusalem. They would worship God there. This Jerusalem that God described would be full of joy. There would be no more crying. No one would cause harm or destroy anything or anyone. Everyone would do what was right and fair. God would do this new work when it was the right time.

Many years later Jesus said that God was starting that new work through him. Jesus used the words of Isaiah 61:1–2 to describe the work he was doing on earth (Luke 4:14–21). In Revelation, John also described the new heavens and new earth. The city where God ruled for ever as King was called the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1–5).

61:1

  • The presence of God's Spirit guarantees the servant's mission will succeed (see Isaiah 11:1–5; 42:1).

  • The servant will help and heal the marginalized, the poor, and those with broken hearts (see Isaiah 25:4).

61:1–3

The servant announces the good news that his work will restore Zion. The Lord Jesus used these words to describe his own mission (Luke 4:18–19).

61:2

  • The time of the Lord’s favor is the day of God’s salvation (see Isaiah 49:8).

  • the day of our God’s vengeance: God turns his wrath against the enemies of his people. It will be a day of righteous vengeance (see Isaiah 34:8; 63:3–4).

61:3

  • Putting ashes on one's head showed mourning (note the change from the judgment in Isaiah 3:16–25). Mourning would turn into joy. In Hebrew, the words for crown of beauty and ashes form a wordplay.

  • oil of joy: A face covered with oil showed blessing and well-being (see Psalms 45:8; 133:2).

  • The remnant would begin as small shoots. They would seem weak and unimportant at first.

    But over time, they would grow strong and large, like great oak trees (see Isaiah 60:21).

61:6

priests … ministers: The nation would fulfill its original calling (Exodus 19:6).

61:7

The people had faced God's wrath for their sins (Isaiah 40:2). Now, they would receive a double share of God’s blessing.

61:8

Those who belong to the community of God’s people are to imitate the character of God. God loves justice (see Micah 6:8) and hates wrongdoing (Isaiah 33:15).

61:9

  • Their descendants: The agreement will be effective for all future generations.

  • The Lord has blessed them to keep his promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1–2; see Isaiah 65:23).

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources