Isaiah 61-64

Isaiah 61

- The anointed one is Jesus, and under the guidance of the Lord, Jesus was sent to preach the good news (the Gospels), to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, to release the oppressed. 

- Jesus stopped reading where He did, because Jesus has fulfilled that scripture, for He said, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21)

- God's favor would bestow Israel a crown of beauty instead of ashes, gladness instead of mourning, praise instead of despair.

- The rebuilt cities will be restored and renewed from their from their devastation and ruins. Their inhabitants will be priests and ministers of the LORD and be blessed with riches.

- Israel can count on the Lord's promises because God is just and faithful and will remain steadfast in the everlasting covenant made with Israel.

- Isaiah's joy in the Lord was likened to a bride adorns herself with jewels and soil that gives off sprouting seeds. We can readily understand such happiness, which helps us understand the overwhelming joy that Isaiah holds for the Lord.

Isaiah 62

- Israel is a light to all nations, for "her righteousness shines out" and "her salvation is like a blazing torch." Nations will see its righteousness and all kings, its glory.

- Zion was called Deserted but will be called Hephzibah.

- Names are very important, for the name, in a sense, defines the person that he or she is. And in the Bible, we see many examples of that: Paul was Saul (Acts 13:9), Peter was Simon (Matthew 16: 17-18), etc. And so, when God gives someone a new name, He is giving that person a new mission, a new meaning in life.

In my mind, the most vivid example is the changing of Jacob's name to Israel (Genesis 32:22-28). Having survived a struggle with an angel of God, Jacob's name was changed to Israel, for he has "struggled with God and with men and have overcome." The name Israel hence means "God contended," and the name change symbolizes such a change in the state of being of Jacob.

Today, many people change their names for similar reasons. I know a friend who changed her name when her father passed away. She changed her name because the death of her father deeply changed her, changed her mentality and her state of being. Although this is not the same as God-inspired changing of a person's name, the idea behind the name change is the same. And that idea is, names are important, and each name reflects the inherent characteristics of the person.

Looking at the new names for the nation of Israel, it suggests that God will take Israel out of its despair and restore joy and righteousness to Israel.

- When the Savior comes to redeem Israel, the people of Israel will be called the Holy People and no longer be deserted.

Isaiah 63:1–14
Revelation 19:11–16
Note: Edom and Bozrah represent those who are against God.
- Jesus Christ is the One, coming from Edom, from Bozrah, for He is the One whose garments are stained with blood yet One who is robed in splendor. Jesus is the One, for only Jesus can say, "It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save."

- God has shown wrath to many nations because all the nations rebelled against him, and there was not one that was on His side.

- In Isaiah 66:15-16, God's wrath is described as such: "The LORD is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For with fire and his sword, the LORD will execute judgment upon all men, and many will be those slain by the LORD." This is many times more powerful than human anger, for the most we can do out of anger is to take a person's life; God, on the other hand, not only can cause our physical death but also condemn our soul to eternal suffering/death. Yet, He doesn't. He sent His only Son to die for our sins so that our souls can return to Him and be blessed with eternal life.

Isaiah 63:15–64:12

- Isaiah wants Israel to remember the kindness of the LORD, the deeds that deserve our praise, and the compassion of the Lord. Isaiah reiterates that God is in great sorrow while Israel is in distress. However, Israel rebelled against the Lord and caused Him great grievance. And because of Israel's pride, God must punish it, for God cannot tolerate any imperfection. This is why Israel is in the state that it is in. Yet, despite all this chaos, Isaiah reminds Israel that it was also God who brought them out of Egypt and guided them to safety. Hence, Israel should forgo its pride and place its trust in the Lord once again. Israel should restore its faith in the Lord and trust that the Lord will protect its people.

- Isaiah prays for God to show tender and compassion. He prays to God for the return of His people, His servants and His heirs to God's inheritance. Isaiah prays that God remembers Israel, for Israel's enemies have trampled over it and need God's protection and blessing.

- Isaiah states that Israel has wandered from God's Way and that they have hardened their hearts against reverence in God.

- Isaiah is therefore praying to God to look down from Heaven and see how much Israel needs God's compassion.

- Isaiah is praying hard for God's aid, using the argument that Israel is God's holy place but is being trampled by its enemies. And though Israel's heart is not in the right place, Isaiah prays to God for compassion, to lead His people back to His Way.

Isaiah 60-64

- God is punishing Israel for its proud rebellion. However, the punishment will not last forever, and one day, God will restore glory to Israel. That day has not yet come, for Israel remains blind to God's way and will continue to be blinded until the end of days, as deemed by God. With the second coming of Jesus, God's wrath will be revealed and released to all those who have chosen to stand against God. And upon cleansing the earth of the evil influence of satan, Israel will finally be re-established its glory, with Jesus as its ruling King.

Further reading:

http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=23&c=61

http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=23&c=62

http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=23&c=63

http://www.christnotes.org/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=23&c=64