Isaiah 61 Commentary
Back in the days of the Judges, the Spirit of the LORD would come upon an individual, and they would rise up and save Israel. Samson is one individual who would single-handedly save Israel under the power of the Spirit of the LORD. Is Isaiah following the same script in his statement in Verse 1?
But who exactly is speaking? The prophet? Probably not. Probably no mortal is good enough to fit the job description. The Servant, Immanuel, or the Son born to us? Yes.
Yes, the Servant-cum-King. Immanuel, the Branch. He is especially empowered to proclaim God’s good news to the poor.
How does the proclamation of the good news relate to the time of Israel’s redemption? In Chapter 61 we heard, “In its time, I will do this swiftly.” Could it be that the proclamation of the good news coincides with the mending of broken hearts and the release of prisoners?
Again, the answer is yes.
Isaiah isn’t complex to read if you stop and look at everything. The prophet defines Israel’s problem. It’s sin for which Israel needs cleansing for a “white as snow” finish! Isaiah 1:18.
Then the book takes us places with deep descriptions of the human condition.
At each turn is God’s solution presented in various forms. These aren’t just different images explaining the same entity. Each image of the Savior reveals a unique quality. So, the Servant is variously described in several chapters leading to Chapter 61. Then the Servant speaks!
The prophet quotes the words of Jesus. This keeps the thought that the prophet has repeatedly highlighted. It’s only the Creator God, the God of Abraham, who foretells the future. He is all-knowing!
Verse 6 is a direct reference to Peter’s claim that believers are a royal priesthood – royal because of the son/daughter relationship with King Jesus, who doubles as the High Priest.
There is the mention of the double portion. Then we have the example of the bridegroom and the bride. Isaiah is winding down his long work beautifully. Isaiah’s future was always full of God’s promises of a restored relationship with the Creator God – hinged on righteousness.
The Servant would provide the means. The LORD Jesus Christ is always ‘big time’ for the nations. What a blessing it is to experience these times when our knees can bow, and our tongues can confess this name.
More resources visit https://www.lovingscripture.com
