I mentioned I’ve been meditating on Isaiah 61. I like to dig deep into Scripture, pick it apart, and study individual words. The following few posts will be pieces of the devotional I shared with my leadership team on this passage last week with some additional insights…
1 The Spirit of the Master Yahweh is upon me, because Yahweh has anointed Me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners;
Christ was annointed to come and bring good news to the afflicted (indicates one who is oppressed, with their head down, meek, humble). He came to bind up (in the sense of bandaging a wound) the brokenhearted (more specifically, shattered to pieces). To proclaim (shout out) liberty (free flowing) to the captives, and freedom (opening wide) to the prisoners (those who are bound).
What an emancipation proclamation! We get a beautiful picture of compassionate Jesus, coming to rescue those who have been oppressed, beat down, held captive…to tend to their wounds, and shout out to their oppressors that He will be freeing them. He’s removing their chains, and they’re leaving with Him.
There is also a double-meaning within the last phrase. The “opening wide of those who are bound” refers not only to the releasing of the physical bondage, but also an opening of the eyes for those in spiritual darkness (restoring sight to the blind).
2 To proclaim the favorable year of Yahweh, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn,
To proclaim (shout out) the favorable (delightful, pleasurable) year (time) of Yahweh, and the day of vengeance (repaying) of our God, to comfort (console, with compassion) all who mourn (lament, grieve, often done in ritualistic fashion).
We get deep imagery when we consider the biblical appointed times (holy days). The fall feasts consist of the Day of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. The Day of Trumpets (known today as Rosh HaShanah) is the day when the trumpets would be blown (the shouting), signifying the time of year, and reminding God’s people of the upcoming times. It is believed that this appointed day is prophetic of the second coming of Christ, as Scripture indicates that He will come at the sounding of the last trumpet, or with a shout.
Following the Day of Trumpets was the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This was a special Sabbath day, on which no one was to work. The day was set aside to examine oneself, to recognize one’s sin, and to atone for that sin. This appointed day teaches us about regular self-examination, repentance, seeking forgiveness, and is prophetic of the final judgment day, on which we will be called to account before the living God.
The final feast during the fall is the Feast of Tabernacles. During this 8-day celebration, the Israelites would build booths (tents, or shelters), both to remember the 40 years in the wilderness between leaving Egypt and entering the Promised Land, and to look forward to the time when Messiah would come and live among His people. They would recall the cloud by day, and the pillar by night, which was the physical representation of God’s presence, Him dwelling among His chosen people. Interesting that one of the names for Jesus is Immanuel, which literally means God with/in the midst of us.
This passage is also representative of the Year of Jubilee, which was celebrated every 50th year. During this year, slaves were set free, debts were forgiven, and any land sold was to be returned to the family according to the initial inheritance. This was a time of restoration, reconciliation, freedom and celebration.
I find it interesting that the time of vengeance is also His delightful time, when things are set straight.
We also see His compassion for those who mourn. We can learn from the ritualistic practices of the time that mourning is a set aside time, prompted by either a loss, or repentance for disobedience. The ritual was to wear sackcloth (like burlap) and pour ashes over one’s head. Mourning was a public ritual. Someone in mourning did not hide their grief. There was no question when encountering someone in mourning.
…
So often, we hide our grief and our sin. We don’t want to burden others. We hide in shame. In the darkness. Exactly where the enemy wants us. What a lesson we can take from this passage, reinforcing Scripture which teaches us to confess our sins so we may be healed.
…
The past several months have seen much mourning and lamenting for me. As I continue my healing journey, and memories continue to surface, I’m repeatedly faced with new wounds, and sin that requires grieving and healing. I’ve also been able to experience His deliverance and redemption in ways I never imagined. This chapter has provided much hope and promise to hold on to and fix my eyes upon when times get difficult.
…
As we savor those thoughts, some questions for reflection:
- Are there any areas of bondage from which Christ desires to set you free?
- Is there any sin in your life for which you need to lament, be shattered to pieces, mourn?
