Isaías 61
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Isaías 61
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS Isaiah 60 describes the end result, while Isa. 61 describes the means of God's blessing. Jesus uses this passage of Himself in Luke 4:16-21; 7:18-23. This was meant to be the task of Israel's king. Because of this, this passage must be Messianic (i.e. the Servant). Those of us who are Christian must continue to remember that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God (cf. Matt. 5:17-19). His life, teachings, death, and resurrection changed everything! The OT must now be reinterpreted through NT revelation (cf. 2 Tim. 3:15-17). Neither Jesus nor any Apostle ever reaffirmed a national promise to Israel. By divine act Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by Rome (A.D. 66-70). As a consequence of this, the Jewish believers totally separated from the synagogue and became a truly international church (cf. Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 1:8)! I have come to believe that the Olivet Discourse of Jesus (i.e. Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 17; 21; 2 Thess. 2; and the book of Revelation) predict the Jewish war with Rome and not far future events and persons. Please check my exegetical verse-by-verse commentary on these verses free online at www.freebiblecommentary.org. The Spirit of the Lord here is obviously analogous (i.e. foreshadowing) to the Holy Spirit in the NT Trinitarian sense. see SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TRINITY see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PERSONHOOD OF THE SPIRIT It is obvious that this is an example of a local historical situation in the life of Israel being used to depict future events in the time of the Messiah (i.e. typology). SPECIAL TOPIC: TYPOLOGY
Isaías 61:1-3
61:1 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me" Jesus used this verse for Himself in Luke 4:18-21. He also used this verse to answer John the Baptist's question. cf. Luke 7:18-23. This occurred visibly in Jesus' life at His baptism (cf. Isa. 11:1-2; 42:1; Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21,22; John 1:31-34), but the Spirit had always been with Jesus. SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT IN THE NT SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PERSONHOOD OF THE SPIRIT SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TRINITY ▣ "anointed" This is the same Hebrew root from which the title "Messiah" (BDB 602) or "the Anointed One" comes. This was a sign of God's unique blessing and equipping for a task (cf. Ps. 23:5). In the OT prophets, priests, and kings were anointed as a symbolic act of God's unique presence and call upon their lives. From this John Calvin derived his threefold category for describing Christ's ministry as prophet, priest, and king (cf. Heb. 1:2-3). SPECIAL TOPIC: ANOINTING IN THE BIBLE (BDB 603) SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIAH ▣ "To bring good news to the afflicted" The Messiah's message will be one of hope and forgiveness to the outcast, ostracized, and socially oppressed (cf. Isa. 35:5-6; note Matt. 11:5; 12:15-22; Luke 4:18-21; 7:18-23; John 3:16). Notice the series of INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTS in Isa. 61:1-3 that describe the Messiah's task. to bring good news to the afflicted ‒ Piel, BDB 142, KB 163 to proclaim liberty to captives ‒ Qal, BDB 894, KB 1128 to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord ‒ same as #2 to comfort all who mourn ‒ Piel BDB 636, KB 688 to grant those who mourn in Zion a garland instead of ashes grant ‒ Qal, BDB 962, KB 1321 give ‒ Qal BDB 678, KB 733 another INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT but directed towards the Messiah, Himself ‒ "that He may be glorified" ‒ Hithpael, BDB 802, KB 908 SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIANIC ERA 61:2 "the favorable year of the Lord" This is an allusion to the year of Jubilee (cf. Lev. 25:10,13,28,54). This was a year of release from all debts (i.e. an example of YHWH's mercy; note King Zedekiah's decree in Jer. 34:8-10) and a return of all lands to the original owners every fifty years (i.e. an example of YHWH dividing the land in Joshua. The land belonged to YHWH). There is not one example in the OT that this was ever historically enacted. See Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, pp. 175-177. SPECIAL TOPIC: FEASTS OF ISRAEL, II. C. ▣ "the day of vengeance of our God" It is significant to notice that the favorable year and the day of vengeance occur at the same time (cf. Isa. 63:4). For those who know God in the Messiah, it is a day of reward. To those who do not know our Christ, it is a day of judgment and great sorrow (cf. Matt. 25:36-46; Rev. 20:11-15). There must be bad news of human rebellion before there is good news of God's mercy in Christ! (cf. Romans 1-3). SPECIAL TOPIC: JUDGMENT IN THE NT SPECIAL TOPIC: ETERNAL PUNISHMENT 61:3 Notice the contrasts (i.e. "instead"). a garland instead of ashes oil of gladness instead of mourning the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting Also notice the same contrast in Isa. 61:7. double portion instead of shame shout of joy instead of humiliation ▣ "garland. . .ashes" These are examples of types of things put on the head (cf. Ezek. 24:17). ▣ "The oil of gladness" The ancients lacked the availability of makeup, therefore, to prepare themselves for times of joy and festival, they anointed themselves with olive oil (cf. Ps. 45:7). ▣ "The mantle of praise" Here is an OT example of clothing used as imagery for an attitude and spiritual position. ▣ "oaks of righteousness. . .The planting of the Lord" In Psalm 1 it refers to God's initiating love, ongoing support, and provision (cf. Jer. 17:7-8). Here it refers to the Messiah (cf. Isa. 60:21). SPECIAL TOPIC: TREES SPECIAL TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS ▣ "that He may be glorified" YHWH is glorified when His leaders and people are treated appropriately (i.e. Mosaic Covenant).
Isaías 61:4-9
61:4 "they will rebuild the ancient ruins" It is hard for a non-Jew to imagine the intensity of the feeling that is connected with the Promised Land and Jersualem (cf. Isa. 49:8; 58:12; 60:10). This verse lists several things the ones set free will do. rebuild the ancient ruins raise up the former devastations repair the ruined cities The last line of Isa. 61:4 shows that the author is addressing those returning from Mesopotamian exile. As in all of Isaiah's ambiguous poems, the historical setting is not given. The revelatory truths can apply to multiple historical situations. 61:5 Verse 5 continues the theme of foreigners coming to Jerusalem with gifts and service, to worship the God of Israel. From NT revelation we now know that this refers to the new covenant (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-36) in Christ available for all through repentance and faith (cf. Mark 1:15; Acts 3:16,19; 20:21)! I interpret the OT promises to national Israel as multiple fulfillment prophecies. They were never fulfilled in Israel's history because of their sin and rebellion. They only find fulfilment in Christ. See note at Contextual Insights, B. SPECIAL TOPIC: WHY ARE END-TIME EVENTS SO CONTROVERSIAL? SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 61:6 "you will be called the priests of the Lord" Israel was meant to be a nation of priests, now they will be! Peter uses this very same phrase to describe the church in 1 Pet. 2:5,9 (cf. Exod. 19:56-6; also see John's usage in Rev. 1:6). ▣ "in their riches you will boast" "in their glory you shall boast" "in their riches you shall glory" "and be proud that it is yours" "you will supplant them in their glory" "and succeed to their riches" "in their glory shall you boast yourselves" "and shall be admired because of their wealth" "and boast about the riches you receive from them" The textual issue is over the last word in v. 6 of the MT. תתימרו ‒ you shall glory (MT) תתאמרו ‒ you shall boast (DSS) See KB 67 compared with 416. 61:7 "double portion" This refers to the inheritance of the eldest son in the inheritance structure of ancient Israel (cf. Deut 21:17). As Israel had a double portion of YHWH's wrath (cf. Isa. 40:2), now a double reward. SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVERS' INHERITANCE ▣ "Everlasting joy will be theirs" This same wonderful promise is also found in Ps. 16:11. The question is when will this happen. it did not happen to the returnees from Mesopotanian exile it did not happen to the Jews under Greece or Rome the future then Israel after the Messiah comes the church (spiritually) the millennium (physically) restored Garden of Eden (i.e. Rev. 21-22) This is ancient, inspired poetry! It does not address all the modern questions. It is best to take the central meaning of the strophe and view it through NT revelation (i.e. Jesus is the ultimate revelation of the unseen God; see Contextual Insights, B)! 61:8 "For I, the Lord, love justice" YHWH is an ethical, moral being. He demands ethical, moral actions from His people! Note His listed characteristics. loves justice hates robbery in sacrifices (i.e. burnt offerings) Other wonderful texts that describe YHWH's character are Exod. 34:6; Num. 14:18; Neh. 9:17; Ps. 86:15; 103:8-14; 145:8-9! SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT) SPECIAL TOPIC: JUSTICE ▣ "in burnt offerings" The Septuagint and possibly some variations of the Masoretic Text have "with iniquity" (same consonants, NRSV, Peshitta, NEB, REB). The UBS Text Project, p. 156, gives the sacrificial phrase a B rating (some doubt). SPECIAL TOPIC: BURNT OFFERINGS ▣ "I will. . .make an everlasting covenant with them" The children of Abraham continually broke the first covenant, as a reading of I and 2 Kings and I and 2 Chr. will show. Because of this (i.e. Lev. 26; Deut. 28), God finally allowed the Covenant to be terminated (He left the temple, cf. Ezek. 1; 8-10). The purpose of this termination was the beginning of a new covenant with even greater spiritual significance (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-36). This new covenant begins with the birth of Jesus. SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam and aiōnios) SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT 61:9 Here is another forever promise to Israel as a sign and message (i.e. a light, cf. Isa. 42:6; 49:6; 51:4; Acts 13:47) about the nature of YHWH and other nations. SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN
Isaías 61:10-11
61:10 "I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, My soul will exult in my God" This verse could refer to the Messiah or the nation (cf. Isa. 12:1-2; 25:9; 41:16) rejoicing in YHWH's provision. The AB suggests that this chapter has three speakers. the prophet, Isa. 61:1-7 (possibly the Servant) YHWH, Isa. 61:8-9 personified Zion, Isa. 61:10-11 (p. 181) This shows the ambiguity of these poems as to speakers and recipients (i.e. period of time). Many commentators think Isa. 61:1-3 is a fifth Servant Song. I think Isa. 61:10-11 are the restored and redeemed humanity (cf. Gen. 3:15), which is described in Eph. 2:11-3:13; Romans 9-11. The VERBAL PHRASE, "I will rejoice greatly," is a Qal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and a Qal IMPERFECT VERB of the same root (BDB 965, KB 1314). It was a Hebraic grammatical way of showing intensity. The next line is parallel and the VERB "exalt" is a Qal JUSSIVE (BDB 162, KB 189). SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIANIC ERA ▣ "He has clothed me with garments of salvation" Here is an example of the joy of a wedding feast used as imagery for the spiritual joy of knowing YHWH. This imagery is extended in the NT to refer to believers as having Christ's robes of righteousness (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21). Notice all the different ways of referring to festival clothing. clothed me with garments of salvation ‒ BDB 527, KB 519, Hiphil PERFECT wrapped me with a robe of righteousness ‒ BDB 418, KB 420, Qal PERFECT as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland ‒ BDB 464, KB 461, Piel IMPERFECT. This is the Hebrew root, cahan, which usually refers to priests putting on their priestly garments. It is occasions such as this that we must remember context, not lexicons, determines word meaning. as a bride adorns herself ‒ BDb 224, KB 243, Qal PERFECT with waw 61:11 See Isa. 40:8 and 55:10-11.