ANNOUNCE FREEDOM TO ALL CAPTIVES
Isaiah 61:1–11 This section describes the ministry of God’s anointed as a healer and messenger of freedom and comfort (vv. 1–3). Note: v. 1. It also describes what God’s ministry means to the nations (vv. 4–7). All this is due to God’s covenant promises (vv. 8–11).
Preach, heal, deliver, comfort, rebuild, and serve. The ministry of Jesus described in these passages is also the ministry of the church moving in the power of the Spirit. (Luke 4:17-29). Pray and ask God to use you as described in these powerful verses.
Isaiah 61: 1-7 The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, Announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent me to announce the year of his grace—a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies—and to comfort all who mourn, To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. Rename them “Oaks of Righteousness” planted by God to display his glory. They’ll rebuild the old ruins, raise a new city out of the wreckage. They’ll start over on the ruined cities, take the rubble left behind and make it new. You’ll hire outsiders to herd your flocks and foreigners to work your fields, But you’ll have the title “Priests of God,” honored as ministers of our God. You’ll feast on the bounty of nations, you’ll bask in their glory. Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt, Your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy go on forever.
Isaiah 61:1 Jesus quoted this verse and part of v. 2 in the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:17–20). He affirmed that it depicts the essence of His ministry. It also describes the basic ministry He passed on to His church. See, Matt. 10:1, 2.
An unidentified speaker announces the personal benefits of the ministry of the Anointed (vv. 1–3). Righteousness connotes deliverance.
Isaiah 61:2 The day of vengeance belongs to Christ’s Second Coming.
Isaiah 61:3 The symbolism here depicts festive joy as part of the Messiah’s reign. The spirit of heaviness refers to discouragement. It is to be replaced by an abundant life (the garment of praise). Many see in this text the power of worship-filled praise to cast off oppressive works of darkness.
The Glorious Garment of Praise: The Hebrew root for garment ('atah) shows praise as more than a piece of clothing casually thrown over your shoulders. It literally teaches us "to wrap" or "cover" ourselves - that the garment of praise is to leave no openings through which hostile elements can penetrate. This garment of praise repels and replaces the heavy spirit. This special message of instruction and hope is for those oppressed by fear and doubt. "Put on" the garment. a warm coat from our closet on resists the cold wind when it is "put on." When distressed, be dressed with praise! Act according to God's Word! (Psalm 150:2/John 4:23,24).
Isaiah 61:4–7 Sons of the foreigner: A continued promise that the Gentiles would honor and serve God’s purposes and that God’s people would always supply priests for the nations.
See, 1 Pet. 2:9, 10 But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.
The church is the new “Israel,” now including Gentile believers who once were not a people and who had not obtained mercy. This quote from Hos. 1 is an indication that the apostles could view OT prophecies about national Israel as fulfilled in the church, the new spiritual Israel.
Understand that you are part of God's chosen and special people, the church. Therefore, praise Him, who brought you out of the darkness of sin and death into the light of freedom and life.
1 Peter 2:9-25 Particular attention is given to the outworking of 2:11, 12 in specific life situations “among the Gentiles” (v. 12). 2:24, 25 In v. 21 Christ is our Example; here He is our Redeemer. Christ’s vicarious death makes possible our response of death to sins (repentance) and life for God (righteousness). This is NT Christian conversion in its broadest application, which Peter describes when he says, by whose stripes you were healed. Peter’s intent in quoting Is. 53:5 is to show that personal wholeness—mental, psychological, physical, and spiritual—flows from this conversion.
There are linguistic and literary parallels between 1 Peter and Peter’s speeches as recorded in Acts. Peter’s Pentecost address and 1 Peter have the following in common: Christ’s sacrifice was “foreordained” (compare 1 Pet. 1:20 with Acts 2:23); Christ’s resurrection and ascension glory are presented together (compare 1 Pet. 1:21 with Acts 2:32–35); the role of baptism is related to forgiveness of sins (compare 1 Pet. 3:21 with Acts 2:38). Peter’s speech at the Jerusalem Council and 1 Peter yield the following: God’s “choice” in salvation (compare 1 Pet. 1:2; 2:9 with Acts 15:7); purity of heart with response to the gospel (compare 1 Pet. 1:22 with Acts 15:9). Other examples could be noted.
Isaiah 61:8-9 “Because I, God, love fair dealing and hate thievery and crime, I’ll pay your wages on time and in full, and establish my eternal covenant with you. Your descendants will become well-known all over. Your children in foreign countries will be recognized at once as the people I have blessed.”
Isaiah 61:10-11 I will sing for joy in God, explode in praise from deep in my soul! He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jeweled tiara. For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers, and as a garden cascades with blossoms, So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom and puts praise on display before the nations.
~NKJV New Spirit-Filled Life Bible
