Isa 61.1-11 is in the context of what was just read in Isa 60. Messiah is being revealed and it will be full of Yom Kippur terminology and concepts, especially on the Yovel year (“Jubilee”-Lev 25.10). Isa 61.10 through 63.9 is the Haftorah reading for Nitzavim (Deut 29.9 through 30.20). Yeshua will read Isa 61.1-2a at the beginning of his ministry in Luke 4.14-21 but stops at “and the day of vengeance of our God.” That part of the verse will be fulfilled in his second coming on Yom Kippur (Rev 19.11-21; Matt 24.29-31).
v 1…The Spirit (his purpose, power) of the Lord (Adonai) God (Yehovah) is upon me (the servant of the Lord-Isa 42.1, 7; 48.16, 49. 9, 50. 4, 59.20-21; Luke 4.18, 24.49) because the Lord (Yehovah) has anointed me (as the servant of Yehovah) to bring good news (the Basar meaning “flesh or meat”-Heb 5.12-14; Isa 40.9, 52.7; Heb 4.1-8; Gal 3.8) to the afflicted. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted (Psa 147.3; Ezek 34.4), to proclaim liberty to the captives (John 8.36; Luke 1.38) and freedom to the prisoners (spiritually, physically in exile, etc; we need to go into some detail on what the “good news” really is. The Hebrew word is “Basar” and it has the meaning “gospel.” So what is the “gospel” or “good news?” There are many concepts related to this word and it is greatly misunderstood by many. Biblically, “basar” means the golden age of Israel; David’s throne is restored; the Messiah has come; God reigns through him in the restored kingdom of God/kingdom of Yehovah in 2 Chr 13.8; peace has come; man and nature have been restored; the resurrection has occurred, righteousness as defined by the Torah is in the earth; the day of the Lord has come; Torah goes forth into all the earth; idolatry is gone; the exiles have returned from the Diaspora; true worship is restored; the non-Jews believe in Yeshua as Messiah. Yeshua is not the “good news” or basar, but he is the agent or “shaliach” of God empowered to bring it about. His task is to redeem man and nature, which is called the “restoration.” We enter into this redemption by emunah, or faith. The message of the Basar or gospel, is Yeshua has come to initiate this redemption. Anything short of this is not the Basar or gospel).
v 2…To proclaim the favorable (acceptable) year of the Lord (also called the “day of salvation” and “my year of redemption in Isa 49.8 and 63.4. This is where Yeshua stops reading in Luke 4.20) and the day of vengeance of our God (as the high priest anointed for war at his coming; in Yeshua’s first coming, Isa 61.1-2a is fulfilled. But in his second coming in Matt 24.29-31 and Rev 19.11-21, Israel is saved and it will be a Yovel year on Yom Kippur. This is called a “complete rest” and we have the land at rest, a yovel and release of the captives and all debtors. The land is returned to its original owners and liberty is proclaimed), to comfort all who mourn (Yom Kippur terms).
v 3…To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning (Yom Kippur terms again), the mantle of praise instead of fainting (depression). So they will be called oaks of righteousness (the believers are called “Tzadik Tamar” or “trees of righteousness” which is the palm tree. Why palms? They grow straight, no knots or flaws, the leaves are high off the ground meaning our rewards are not immediate but reserved for later-Deut 20.19; Psalm 92.12; Jer 17.8; Isa 55.12-13; Psalm 1.3; 1 Chr 16.33; Isa 4.2; Matt 15.13; Psalm 52.8; Isa 14.8, 44.4), the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified (by their good works in the Torah-John 15.8; Isa 4.2, 60.21; Heb 6.7).
v 4…Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, they will raise up the former devastations, they will repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations (these verses also apply spiritually-Jer 31.4; Isa 62.10-12).
v 5…And strangers will stand and pasture your flocks (to serve Israel because they are no longer captives but land owners), and foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers (providing food for the needs of Israel).
v 6…But you (Israel) will be called the priests of the Lord (Exo 19.6; what the people of Israel did for the priests formerly, the converted non-Jews will do for Israel. Israel is set apart from the other nations. Within the nation, Levi has a higher kedusha. Within Levi, the sons of Aaron have a higher kedusha. Within the sons of Aaron, the Kohen Ha Gadol has a higher kedusha-Exo 19.6; 1 Pet 2.5-10); you will be spoken of as ministers to our God. You will eat the wealth of the nations (to support Israel, partake of their blessing, be objects of their admiration), and in their riches you will boast (be proud of the great things they have given).
v 7…Instead of shame (of banishment and exile) you will have a double (portion; honor), and instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion (of spiritual blessings). Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land, everlasting joy will be theirs (Zeph 3.19; Isa 42.5; Jer 31.1-32).
v 8…For I, the Lord (Yehovah), love justice (judgment), I hate robbery in the burnt offerings (things offered that were stolen); and I will direct their work in truth (secure the fruit of their work), and I will make an everlasting covenant with them (renew the covenant with them, called the “brit chadasha” or new covenant-Deut 29.1; Jer 31.31-34).
v 9…Then their seed will be known among the nations (the Kahal will be highly regarded) and their descendants in the midst of the peoples. All who see them will recognize them because they are the offspring whom the Lord has blessed.
v 10…I will rejoice greatly in the Lord (the next two verses are alluding to a wedding and coronation so they are associated with Rosh Ha Shanah-Psa 45; Rev 2.12, 21.1-5; Isa 62.1-5-when Messiah comes), my soul will exult in my God; for he has clothed (covered) me with the garments of salvation, he has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness (Eph 6.14; Isa 11.5, 59.12; Rev 7.9-14), as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland (clothed in God’s righteousness as prince or a priest would), as a bride adorns herself with her jewels (makes herself ready-Rev 19.7; Isa 54.1-17; 1 Cor 3.12-15).
v 11…For as the earth brings forth its sprouts (Hebrew “tzemach”-Isa 4.1-6; Matt 22.11-12), and as a garden causes the things sown to spring up, so the Lord God (Adonai Yehovah) will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations (the same God who causes the natural world to function will also cause righteousness and praise to spring up in his mercy, causing salvation to flourish).
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