Contuing on in Isaiah 61: (go to part 1)
3 To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland (of beauty) instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of Yahweh, that He may be glorified.
To grant (appoint, set, place) those who mourn in Zion, giving (as a gift offered) a garland of beauty (headdress) instead of ashes (also translated worthlessness), the oil of gladness (joy, exhultation) instead of mourning, the mantle (wrap, clothing) of praise (public praise, singing, adoration) instead of a spirit (or breath) of fainting (dull, dim, colorless). So they will be called oaks (pillar, mighty tree) of righteousness (upright, straight), the planting (as in physical act of planting) of Yahweh, that He may be glorified (adorned with beauty).
He has appointed, or set before us, a crown of beauty, oil of joy, and garment of praise. This is in perfect contrast to the dullness of the ashes and burlap one donned when in mourning. His promise further is to plant us, with His very own hand, and grow us in to straight, strong oaks, one of the strongest trees, to signify His beauty.
When we lament and publicly mourn (confess and repent) our sins, whether it’s our own actions and choices, or our response to another’s sin toward us, He will meet us there, take it away, and establish our roots in His righteousness.
4 Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, they will raise up the former devastations; and they will repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.
Then they will rebuild (establish, permanent, build up, sometimes refers to the return of the exiles) the ancient ruins (desolation, a place laid waste), they will raise up (arise, stand up) the former devastations (appalled, causing horror); and they will repair (make new) the ruined (dry, parching heat) cities (guarded town), the desolations (deserted, cause horror) of many generations.
This passage foretells the return after the coming exile, which would be punishment for Israel’s continued disobedience. Those He plants will establish, or be the establishment of, the cities abandoned in the exile. The devastation would cause horror, but He promises to make new the dry, parched land, which thirsts for His presence and His righteous people.
We think of the sins of the father, being passed down through generations. In Israel’s history, we see the sins of the fathers leaving consequences for generations, as the sons followed in their fathers’ ways. But He promises to make all things new. To restore everything as it should be.
5 Strangers will stand and pasture your flocks, and foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers.
Strangers (gentiles, people from another nation) will stand (remain, endure) and pasture (see, look after) your flocks, and foreigners (sons of the foreigner) will be your farmers (working the land, without ownership) and your vinedressers (tends the vines).
After the exile, when God’s chosen people return to the promised land, He will again drive the foreigners, meaning those foreign, or strangers to His covenant, from the land. Some will remain and endure to tend the flocks and the crops, as workers, but without ownership of the land or cattle. Not only does He promise a return, but will make the enemies of His people and His ways work and toil!
6 But you will be called the priests of Yahweh; you will be spoken of as ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.
But you will be called the priests (one who mediates or administers a religious service) of Yahweh; you will be spoken of as ministers (servant) of our God. You will eat the wealth (strength, efficiency) of nations, and in their riches (abudnance, splendor) you will boast (exchange, promise).
To be spoken of indicates that others would recognize and mention something. Our position under Him will be so clear and obvious, that it will demand the attention of strangers. God’s people are promised not only return and restoration, but will acquire the wealth and splendor of the nations. There will again be an exchange, a taking over, as God drives out His enemies and brings His people into the land to possess it.
7 Instead of your shame, you will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion. Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, everlasting joy will be theirs.
Instead of your shame (humiliation), you will have a double portion (repeat, second), and instead of humiliation (disgrace, dishonor) they will shout for joy (overcome, singing out, crying out) over their portion (share, territory). Therefore they will possess (seize, inherit, take possession of) a double portion in their land, everlasting (continuous, unending) joy (gladness, pleasure, gaity) will be theirs.
Wow, not only will He bring them back into the land, but the truly repentant will receive a double-portion! In the laws of ownership and inheritance, the double-portion belonged to the firstborn male. What a promise. Jesus is referred to as the firstborn of all creation. Here, God is promising us the inheritance that belongs to Christ! By adoption, we truly do share in His kingdom! This promise is so great, we will literally shout for joy, to make it known among the nations, just as we now make known the mourning and lamenting for our sins (confession and repentance).
I’ll repeat the reflections I posted a couple of weeks ago on the sacrifices Christ made and endured to fulfill these promises to us:
- He was arrested, to set us free
- He endured ridicule, beatings, and the cross, and yet did not open His mouth, to proclaim His year and His vengeance
- He wore a crown of thorns, to bestow on us a crown of beauty
- He tasted vinegar and hyssop, to anoint us with the oil of joy
- His clothes were taken and divided, so he could clothe us with praise
- He hung from a tree, to plant us as oaks of righteousness
What incomprehensible love–love extravagant!
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These promises and these sacrifices have been that tangible thing to hold on to during my healing. He has rescued me out of the dark pit of my self-destruction, and delivered me from the bondage I had been prisoner to. He is redeeming me by making things right, by molding me into the woman He created me to be. He is restoring me to a right relationship with Him.
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Questions for reflection:
- Are you wearing His crown of beauty, oil of joy, garment of praise?
- Are you living in the inheritance (double-portion) promised to us by Christ?
