Isaiah 61

 Isaiah 61

As I was reading through the book of Isaiah last week, chapter 61 was so beautiful, I knew I wanted to do a short commentary on a few of the verses. I will mostly let Isaiah's words do the speaking.

(Isaiah 61:1-3) The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed 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; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord... to comfort all that mourn... 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.

Please realize I am in NO way comparing myself to the great preacher/prophet Isaiah, but I can relate to why he felt called.  I too wish to share a message of hope to the hurting.  Every single thing Isaiah says he wants to share with others is also in my heart for you!  Please read those above verses again. May they wash over you. May you remember them in your darker times and know that Jesus loves you and cares about your broken heart.  May you remember that God is calling you away from the sins that are holding you captive so you can be released from the dark confines of the jail you created through your rebellion. He will always forgive you and set you free when you repent! May you remember that God will help you find heavenly joy even in the midst of mourning. And may you remember that when you praise Jesus while your spirit is heavy, you will find His peace as His name is glorified.

(Isaiah 61:10) 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. 

I realize that Isaiah lived before Jesus walked on this earth in human form, but as a prophet, he very likely had some idea of salvation and holiness beyond the empty rituals of his time.  Afterall, he wrote many Messianic prophecies (approximately 61!). To me, verse 10 paints a beautiful picture of salvation in Jesus Christ.  When we truly accept God's free gift of salvation and live for Him, we can find peace and joy. 

In this verse the garments are symbolic of the new garments we wear as Christians (you can read more about that in my blog "New Garments" https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2026/07/zechariah-34-7-new-garments.html), but when we get to haven, the pure bride of Christ will be given new robes!

(Revelation 7:9-10) After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."