Bible Commentaries

Verses 1-11

Passing from the description of material prosperity, the prophecy describes the inner secret, namely, spiritual realization. This description opens with a new declaration of the Servant of the Lord. The anointed Messenger declares His appointment, and describes His program. All the deliverance described is to be due to the message which He delivers. In the light of the use made of this passage by Christ, it is interesting to consider the program.

"To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord" is the first item. At that point Jesus ceased His reading in the synagogue. Next will come "the day of vengeance of our God." That will be the period of judgment. Beyond it, "to comfort all that mourn." Therefore the description of the glorious restoration has reference to what still lies in the future. In that future the people of God will be His priests, His ministers. Themselves redeemed from shame and from confusion, they will exert an influence for righteousness among the peoples, who, in their turn, will recognize the truth and submit themselves to it.