C. Restoration secured through Israel's glorious King (The King of Peace), ch. 58-66
Israel’s false worship contrasted with true worship, 58:1-14
Israel’s confession of sin, and the Redeemer’s response, 59:1-21
Israel’s radiance and peace in the Light of the Redeemer, 60:1-22
Israel’s joy in the completed Gospel of the Anointed One,61:1-11
1. The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed {HB=maschach} me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
the Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me...- cp. Isa 11:1-5; 42:1
In Luk 4:16-24, the Lord Jesus Christ read this passage in the synagogue in Nazareth. From the way He handled the scriptures, it is evident that He was well acquainted with them, since He readily found the passage that He wanted to read. However, what He did not read demonstrates the meaning and importance of 'rightly dividing the Word of Truth' (2Tim 2:15). Observe that Jesus did not finish the first three verses of this chapter, even though they form one sentence. He intentionally stopped part way through the sentence, in the middle of verse 2, closing the book after 'the acceptable year of the LORD.' He told His audience that the portion that He read was fulfilled in their ears, that is at His first coming. He did not continue reading because the remainder of the text awaits His second coming. At His first coming, the Messiah (the Anointed One of v.1)...
[came] to bind up the brokenhearted...- Mat 11:28-30
to proclaim liberty to the captives...- Joh 8:32-36
to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.- This phrase relates to the year of Jubilee, when slaves were set free, and liberty was proclaimed throughout the land (Lev 25:9,10). For all who trust in Him, He provided the way of salvation from bondage to sin and Satan (2Cor 6:2; Col 1:13,14).
But the passage goes on to describe aspects of salvation which await the Messiah's second coming:
to comfort all that mourn...- The days of Israel's mourning are not yet ended. Isa 60:20
to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion... beauty for ashes...- Ashes placed on one's head were a symbol of mourning, often accompanied by the wearing of sackcloth (eg. Isa 58:5). When Christ returns, He will exchange Israel's ashes for a glorious headdress (ie., the priestly head covering. See Ex 39:28, where the word for 'beauty' is translated 'bonnets').
that they might be... the planting of the LORD... that He might be glorified. cp. Isa 60:21; Psa 92:12-15; Joh 15:8. Though gloriously attired, the redeemed do not receive praise. Rather, all praise is directed to the One who planted them in the place of blessing.
4. And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. 5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien [shall be] your plowmen and your vinedressers. 6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: [men] shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
strangers shall... feed your flocks...- The gentile nations will serve Israel,
though she was previously despised and a reproach among the nations.
but ye shall be... the Priests of the LORD...- The whole nation of Israel, not just the tribe of Levi,
will be priests, as the LORD originally intended. Ex 19:6
7 For your shame [ye shall have] double; and [for] confusion {ie., reproach} they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. 8 For I the LORD love judgment {ie., justice}, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they [are] the seed [which] the LORD hath blessed.
for your shame... double...- They will be compensated with joy
I hate robbery for burnt offering...- The LORD hates hypocrisy.
No matter how impressive or costly the donation, the LORD will not accept what has been obtained through illicit means. (eg., There is no acceptance for the wealthy man, though he builds orphanages and churches with his profits, if he has robbed others of what was rightfully theirs. cp. Jam 5:1-6)
I will direct {HB=nathan, give, grant} their work {HB=pe'ullah, recompense, wages} in truth {HB='emeth, in faithfulness...-
ie., The LORD will faithfully reward His people with the wages of honor in compensation for their shame.
their seed shall be known among the Gentiles... all... shall acknowledge them...-
10. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels. 11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD...-
The voices of Israel and her Messiah blend together in praise.
for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation... the robe of righteousness...-