Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 61

Verses 1-11

1. Intro:
   1. Announce: Christmas Service times.
   2. Announce: next Book (Rev.)
   3. Intro story: Why this passage is special to me! ☺
      1. Pastor Garry Ansdel gave to me after my 1^st memorial in 1989.
2. HIS 1^ST COMING! (1,2a)
   1. HIS ANNOINTING & APPOINTING! (1,2a)
   2. Note: Trinity in vs.1.
   3. Turn to Lk.4:16-21. (thus claiming to be Messiah – Also tried to kill 4:29)
      1. Note of course where he broke the verse (2 advents).
      2. Here is God’s manifesto for Him.
      3. The prophets viewed the 2 comings of Christ like 2 mountain peaks; from a distance they appear to be the same peak, but on coming closer it became apparent there was a large valley between them. (Shepherd’s Notes; pg.93)
         1. Now we know this valley is a span of at least 2000 years.
   4. Speaking of spiritual things here, though his ministry definitely included this physical ministry also. (“Tell John…” Lk.7:22)
      1. Yes, God has & can breakdown prison doors, but normally this liberation speaks of freedom from a greater slavery!!!
   5. We are living in the “year of acceptance”, the day of grace!
      1. Possibly pointing to the year of Jubilee – (Lev.25:8-13)
      2. Thus, it’s a time of releasing slaves, canceling all debts, & making a new beginning. (sounds lie being Born Again)
         1. Trust Christ, & begin your Jubilee now!
         2. Reject Him, & face judgment!
      3. Q: Have you entered your Jubilee?
         1. It’s all about freedom/liberty!
         2. Freedom from a greater slavery!!!
3. HIS 2^ND COMING! (2b-11)
   1. TO HONOR THOSE THAT ARE HIS! (2b-3)
   2. (2b) The day of vengeance of our God – This will be the Tribulation.
      1. When He will judge the rebellious nations of the world.
      2. Rev.19:15 “Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”
      3. We’ll discuss this in ch.63.
   3. So, He preaches good news to the poor(in spirit).
   4. He heals/binds up/comforts the brokenhearted.
   5. He releases captives & frees prisoners.
   6. He transforms ashes into beauty, sorrow into joy, & despair into praise
      1. Oh, that we would care for the outcasts like Jesus!
         1. How do we? Be anointed as Jesus was w/the Holy Spirit.
   7. (3) Beauty for ashes – or, a priests turban, or garland, or headdress.
      1. Oh, the ashes of this sin cursed earth!
      2. Ashes a symbol of sorrow, grief, bereavement, failure, despair.
      3. Garland a lovely fragrant symbol of joy, gladness, blessing, success, reward.
      4. Jesus has come to replace earthly sin & sorrow with heavenly-bestowed garlands of salvation & consolation & blessing.
   8. He came to give…
      1. ​​​​​​​The garland of hope for the ashes of fear;
         The garland of love for the ashes of hate;
         The garland of new promise for the ashes of regret;
         The garland of divine friendship for the ashes of human loneliness
         The garland of joy in God for the ashes of sorrow in sin;
         The garland of inward healing for the ashes of soul sickness;
         The garland of moral victory for the ashes of defeat;
         The garland of spiritual liberty for the ashes of bondage;
         The garland of heart’s ease for the ashes of unrest;
         The garland of godly contentment for the ashes of worldly envy;
         The garland of a worthwhile life for the ashes of godless pleasure
         The garland of victory & holiness for the ashes of defeat; (Awake My Heart; Baxter; pg.313)
      2. At funerals we hear, “dust to dust, ashes to ashes” but how about “resurrection to resurrection, immortality to immortality?”
      3. We don’t mind wearing our favorite baseball hat/cap & displaying our favorite team/school/sport/or cool clothing name!
         1. Q: What garland are you presently displaying?
   9. Oil of Joy/gladness –
      1. Mt.25:21 “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”
   10. The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
       1. Q: Tonight, which garment do you need to send to the Thrift Store, & replace with His garment of praise?
       2. Do you need to…
       3. Trade in your works for His Grace?
       4. Swap your Churchianity for Christianity?
       5. Exchange your, “I deserve better than this” for, “I’ll take His mercy”?
       6. Surrender your religion for just Jesus?
       7. Yield your funeral wreath for a bride’s veil?
       8. Relinquish your Gloom for radiant Joy?
       9. Give up your spirit of heaviness & accept His garment of praise?
       10. After our mournful ashes of deadness toward God/Winter;
           Jesus brings the garland of new spiritual life/Spring;
           Which, brings about a full life of spiritual Summer;
           Culminating in the golden yet-to-be endless glory-harvest of heaven! (Ibid; pg.315)
   11. Q: Anyone poor, in spirit? (opposite of proud in spirit!)
   12. Q: Anyone brokenhearted over their sin?
   13. Q: Anyone need liberty from phobias, insecurities, worry, anxiety, jealousy, envy, temper, wrong desire, passion.
   14. Q: Anyone need released from a prison of despair, depression, despondency? Released from a prison of conscience?
   15. REBUILDING! (4-9)
   16. (4) They’ll be able to rebuild the destroyed cities.
   17. (5) Foreigners will be subject to Israel.
   18. (6) They’ll enjoy the wealth of other nations.
   19. (7) All shame replaced with honor.
       1. Double portion – from the eldest son’s inheritance. (Deut.21:17)
       2. This is for Israel, but appropriate the promise to yourself as Abraham’s children/spiritual Israel! (read again!)
   20. ISRAEL BURSTS FORTH IN PRAISE! (10,11)
   21. 2 pictures:
   22. Wedding Garments – (i.e. from funerals to weddings!)
       1. In verse 3 the mourners dried their mourner’s tears, & put on festive garments instead of mourning clothes.
   23. Springtime –
   24. Note the combination of imputed & imparted righteousness!
       1. Imputed rt. – This one is put on like a garment!
          1. (vs.10) He has covered me with the robe of rt.
       2. Imparted rt. – This one blossoms out from within!
          1. (vs.11) the Lord God will cause rt & praise to spring forth.
       3. “Oh that in our lives God would cause righteousness & praise to spring forth!” (F.B.Meyer)