Isaiah 61:1-11
The Spirit of the Lord Is upon Me
1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,
2to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn,
3to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
4They will rebuild the ancient ruins; they will restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.
5Strangers will stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners will be your plowmen and vinedressers.
6But you will be called the priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches.
7Instead of shame, My people will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation, they will rejoice in their share; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.
8For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity; in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9Their descendants will be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.
10I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11For as the earth brings forth its growth, and as a garden enables seed to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
Berean Standard Bible
The speaker says the Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon him because the LORD has anointed him to preach good news to the poor. He is sent to bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom to captives, and release from darkness for prisoners.
He announces the year of the LORD's favor and the day of our God's vengeance, to comfort all who mourn in Zion. The mourners receive a crown instead of ashes, oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor. Strangers will shepherd their flocks and foreigners will work their fields, while Israel will be called priests of the LORD. Shame will be replaced by a double portion and everlasting joy.
The speaker rejoices because God has clothed him with garments of salvation and righteousness. As the earth brings forth its sprouts, the LORD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all nations. Restoration will become visible in people and community, not only in private feeling.
How We Know
In Luke 4, Jesus reads the opening part of this passage in the synagogue and says it has been fulfilled in their hearing. Luke identifies Jesus' ministry with Isaiah's anointed proclamation, while Isaiah's full chapter also includes judgment, rebuilding, and the restoration of Zion.
Questions
1 To whom is good news preached?
AnswerGood news is preached to the poor, and the brokenhearted, captives, and prisoners receive freedom and comfort.
2 What replaces ashes and mourning?
AnswerA crown replaces ashes, oil of joy replaces mourning, and praise replaces despair.
3 What will God's people be called?
AnswerThey will be called oaks of righteousness and priests of the LORD.
4 What does the LORD cause to spring up?
AnswerHe causes righteousness and praise to spring up before all nations.
What This Means for Us
The good news in this chapter is aimed at people who are poor, broken, captive, mourning, or ashamed. It is not a spiritual cover placed over unchanged suffering; it announces release and rebuilding.
Let your family's faith move toward people carrying those burdens. Offer comfort that is practical, speak freedom without making promises God has not made, and praise the LORD by helping restoration become visible.
Prayer
Spirit of the Lord, bring good news to the burdened through us. Bind up broken hearts, teach us to seek freedom and justice, and clothe our household with praise and faithful action. Amen.