61:1 The spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has chosen me. He has commissioned me to encourage the poor, to help the brokenhearted, to decree the release of captives, and the freeing of prisoners, 61:2 to announce the year when the Lord will show his favor, the day when our God will seek vengeance, to console all who mourn,
The spirit is God the Holy Spirit. The sovereign Lord is God the Father. The “me” is the speaker, who is God the Son. This is an Old Testament passage which identifies all three persons of the Triunity of God.
God the Father has chosen God the Son to be sent down to earth to encourage the poor (teach the good news), help the brokenhearted (atone for the inward sin of man), decree the release of the captives (release the sinner from the captivity of sin), the freeing of the prisoners (free the prisoners from sin), and to announce the year of the Lord's favor (the coming of the Millennial Kingdom).
The Lord Jesus Christ quoted the first half of this verse at the synagogue in his home town of Nazareth. He said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Jesus was claiming to be the second person of the Trinity. He did not read the second half of the verse, because it will not be fulfilled until His Second Coming. After Jesus made this statement of deity, all of His Nazareth neighbors wanted to throw him off of a cliff for blasphemy. However, He walked right through them.
Jesus stopped after reading the word “favor.” Jesus announced His coming kingdom. The date of the favor would be when the Jews cry out, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Verses 1-2a will be fulfilled at His first coming. Verses 2-3 will be fulfilled at His second coming.
God will seek vengeance upon the whole earth during the Great Tribulation. He will console all of those believers (both dead and alive) at His second coming.
61:3 to strengthen those who mourn in Zion, by giving them a crown, instead of ashes, oil symbolizing joy, instead of mourning, a garment symbolizing praise, instead of discouragement. They will be called oaks of righteousness, trees planted by the Lord to reveal his splendor.
When Jesus returns at His second coming, He will strengthen those who mourn in Jerusalem. The Antichrist will destroy Jerusalem and chase the Jews out of the city. Israel will no longer mourn and pour ashes on their head. Instead, they will replace their ashes with a crown. They will begin placing oil (or makeup) on their faces once again. Psalm 45:7 predicted that the Messiah would be anointed with oil of joy. They will wear bright-colored clothing once again. They will give out praises instead of discouragement, They will be like strong oak tress who will be planted in the land of Israel by Jehovah Himself. Israel will reveal the splendor of Jehovah.
61:4 They will rebuild the perpetual ruins and restore the places that were desolate; they will reestablish the ruined cities, the places that have been desolate since ancient times.
During the Millennial Kingdom, Israel will rebuild her ruined cities.
61:5 “Foreigners will take care of your sheep; foreigners will work in your fields and vineyards.
Gentiles will join Israel in her farming and shepherding businesses. Gentiles will become servants to the Jews.
61:6 You will be called, ‘the Lord’s priests, servants of our God.’ You will enjoy the wealth of nations and boast about the riches you receive from them.
Israel will finally fulfill her call to become a nation of priests. Gentile nations will bring their wealth to Israel.
61:7 Instead of shame, you will get a double portion; instead of humiliation, they will rejoice over the land they receive. Yes, they will possess a double portion in their land and experience lasting joy.
Israel was the first-born son of Jehovah, so she will be given a double portion of the Millennial Kingdom blessings. She was also given double punishment for her sins.
61:8 For I, the Lord, love justice and hate robbery and sin. I will repay them because of my faithfulness; I will make a permanent covenant with them.
Jehovah loves justice, but He hates robbery and sin. This permanent covenant will be the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31. This covenant had not yet been offered to Israel, but it will be offered during Jeremiah’s prophetic realm.
61:9 Their descendants will be known among the nations, their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will recognize that the Lord has blessed them.”
During the Millennial Kingdom, the Gentiles will honor Israel. They will recognize that God is blessing them. All millennialists and postmillennialists will confess that the Jews were the chosen people of God.
61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; I will be overjoyed because of my God. For he clothes me in garments of deliverance; he puts on me a robe symbolizing vindication. I look like a bridegroom when he wears a turban as a priest would; I look like a bride when she puts on her jewelry.
Isaiah is speaking through the future eyes of the redeemed remnant. During the Millennial Kingdom, the redeemed remnant will greatly rejoice in response to God’s blessings. They will wear clothes of salvation and righteousness.
In Jewish weddings, bridegrooms wore fancy turbans. Brides wore beautiful jewelry. During the Millennial Kingdom, the redeemed of Israel will wear these same types of wedding clothes. They will also wear the clothes of the priests. Clothes were created to hide the nakedness of man and glorify the character of God. The clothing of Israel will be a symbol to the Gentiles that Israel is literally the priests to all of the nations.
61:11 For just as the ground produces its crops and a garden yields its produce, so the sovereign Lord will cause deliverance to grow, and give his people reason to praise him in the sight of all the nations.
Just as Jehovah causes the crops to grow, then He will also cause Israel’s righteousness to grow as well. In the past, Israel's character caused Jehovah's name to be blasphemed. In the future, Israel's character will cause the Gentiles to praise Jehovah.