Tyndale Open Study NotesIsaiah 61

The servant announces the good news that his work will restore Zion. The Lord Jesus used these words to describe his own mission (Luke 4:18–19).

• The presence of God's Spirit guarantees the servant's mission will succeed (see Isaiah 11:1–5; 42:1).

• The servant will help and heal the marginalized, the poor, and those with broken hearts (see Isaiah 25:4).

• The time of the Lord’s favor is the day of God’s salvation (see Isaiah 49:8).

• the day of our God’s vengeance: God turns his wrath against the enemies of his people. It will be a day of righteous vengeance (see Isaiah 34:8; 63:3–4).

• Putting ashes on one's head showed mourning (note the change from the judgment in Isaiah 3:16–25). Mourning would turn into joy. In Hebrew, the words for crown of beauty and ashes form a wordplay.

• oil of joy: A face covered with oil showed blessing and well-being (see Psalms 45:8; 133:2).

• The remnant would begin as small shoots. They would seem weak and unimportant at first.

  But over time, they would grow strong and large, like great oak trees (see Isaiah 60:21).

priests … ministers: The nation would fulfill its original calling (Exodus 19:6).

The people had faced God's wrath for their sins (Isaiah 40:2). Now, they would receive a double share of God’s blessing.

Those who belong to the community of God’s people are to imitate the character of God. God loves justice (see Micah 6:8) and hates wrongdoing (Isaiah 33:15).

• Their descendants: The agreement will be effective for all future generations.

• The Lord has blessed them to keep his promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1–2; see Isaiah 65:23).

garments of salvation … robe of righteousness: God will joyfully clothe his people with the gifts of salvation and righteousness (see Isaiah 51:5; 56:1), like a bridegroom or a bride (see 49:18; 62:5; Jeremiah 2:32; 7:34; 16:9; 25:10; 33:11).