Isaiah
Chapter 61
Mission of the Prophet
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up broken hearts, to proclaim liberty to the captives, freedom to those languishing in prison;
to announce the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God; to give comfort to all who grieve;
to comfort those who mourn in Zion and give them a garland instead of ashes, oil of gladness instead of mourning, and festal clothes instead of despair. They will be called oaks of integrity planted by the Lord to show his glory.
Restoration
They will rebuild the ancient ruins and repair cities laid waste, left desolate for many generations.
Strangers will stand to feed your flocks, foreigners to be your plowmen and vinedressers.
But you will be named priests of the Lord, you will be called ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations and bathe in the splendor of their riches.
Since my people’s shame has been twofold and disgrace has been their lot, they will possess a double portion of inheritance in their land. I will give them everlasting joy.
For I, the Lord, love justice, I hate robbery and oppression; I will give them their due reward and make an everlasting Covenant with them.
Their descendants shall be known among the nations and their offspring among the people. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a race, the Lord has blessed.
The New Jerusalem
I rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul exults for joy in my God, for he has clothed me in the garments of his salvation, he has covered me with the robe of his righteousness, like a bridegroom wearing a garland, like a bride adorned with jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its growth, and as a garden makes seeds spring up, so will the Lord God make justice and praise spring up in the sight of all nations.
Commentaries
Mission of the Prophet.
Anointing in the Bible always signifies a mission. The Lord sends His anointed one to proclaim the year of grace. This year was meant to be observed every 50 years, marking the anniversary of freeing slaves, returning land to its original owners, and canceling debts. Poor peasants suffered from bad weather, famine, and opportunists, often ending up as slaves. The year of grace serves as a metaphor for the salvation and restoration that God will bring (cf. Lk 4:18-19).
Restoration.
This renewal signifies a complete transformation resulting in a new identity and mission. This is what the Lord means by the new name He gives to the city (3). It is a priestly people who will serve their ministry to the nations (6).
The New Jerusalem.
This poem uses marriage as a metaphor to illustrate God’s love for His people (cf. 62:5). It describes a faithful and committed love that promises to renew the joy of the covenant (5). The sustainability of agriculture guarantees peace (8-9).