15. forsaken--([Psa 78:60], ).
no man went through thee--Thy land was so desolate that no traveller, or caravan, passed through thee; true only of Israel, not true of the Church ([La 1:4]).
excellency--glory, that is, for ever honored.
16. suck--Thou shalt draw to thyself and enjoy all that is valuable of the possessions of the Gentiles, &c. ([Is 49:23]; ; , ).
know--by the favors bestowed on thee, and through thee on the Gentiles.
17. Poetically, with figurative allusion to the furniture of the temple; all things in that happy age to come shall be changed for the better.
exactors--namely, of tribute.
righteousness--All rulers in restored Jerusalem shall not only be peaceable and righteous, but shall be, as it were, "peace" and "righteousness" itself in their administration.
18. ([Is 2:4]). Not only shall thy walls keep thee safe from foes, but "Salvation" shall serve as thy walls, converting thy foes into friends, and so ensuring thee perfect safety ([Is 26:1], 2).
gates--once the scene of "destruction" when victorious foes burst through them ([Ne 1:3]); henceforth to be not only the scene of praises, but "Praise" itself; the "gates," as the place of public concourse, were the scene of thanksgivings ([2Ch 31:2]; [Psa 9:14]; ; ). "Judah," the favored tribe, means "praise."
19. The sun and moon, the brightest objects by day and night, shall be eclipsed by the surpassing glory of God manifesting Himself to thee ([Is 30:26]; [Zec 2:5]; [Re 21:23]; ).
20. There shall be no national and spiritual obscuration again as formerly ([Joe 2:10]; [Am 8:9]).
mourning ... ended--([Is 25:8]; [Re 21:4]).
21. all righteous--([Is 4:3]; ; [Re 21:27]).
inherit ... land--([Is 49:8]; ; ; [Psa 37:11], ; [Mt 5:5]).
branch of my planting--([Is 61:3]; [Psa 92:13]; [Mt 15:13]).
work of my hands--the converted Israelites ([Is 29:23]; ).
that I may be glorified--the final end of all God's gracious dealings ([Is 49:3]; ).
22. little one--Even one, and that the smallest in number and rank, shall be multiplied a thousandfold in both respects ([Mi 5:2]; [Mt 13:31], ).
his time--not our time; we might wish to hasten it, but it will come in due time, as in the case of Jesus' first coming ([Ga 4:4]); so in that of the restoration of Israel and the conversion of the world ([Is 66:8]; [Ha 2:3]; [Ac 1:7]; [He 10:37]).
Chapter 61
Is 61:1-11. Messiah's Offices: Restoration of Israel
Messiah announces His twofold commission to bring gospel mercy at His first coming, and judgments on unbelievers and comfort to Zion at His second coming ([Is 61:1-9]); the language can be applied to Isaiah, comforting by his prophecies the exiles in Babylon, only in a subordinate sense.
1. is upon me; because ... hath anointed me--quoted by Jesus as His credentials in preaching ([Lu 4:18-21]). The Spirit is upon Me in preaching, because Jehovah hath anointed Me from the womb ([Lu 1:35]), and at baptism, with the Spirit "without measure," and permanently "abiding" on Me ([Is 11:2]; [Joh 1:32]; 3:34; [Psa 45:7]; with which compare [1Ki 1:39], 40; 19:16; [Ex 29:7]). "Anointed" as Messiah, Prophet, Priest, and King.
good tidings--as the word "gospel" means.
the meek--rather, "the poor," as [Lu 4:18] has it; that is, those afflicted with calamity, poor in circumstances and in spirit ([Mt 11:5]).
proclaim liberty--([Joh 8:31-36]). Language drawn from the deliverance of the Babylonian captives, to describe the deliverance from sin and death ([He 2:15]); also from the "liberty proclaimed" to all bond-servants in the year of jubilee ([Is 61:2]; [Le 25:10]; [Jr 34:8], ).
opening of the prison--The Hebrew rather is, "the most complete opening," namely, of the eyes to them that are bound, that is, deliverance from prison, for captives are as it were blind in the darkness of prison ([Is 14:17]; ; ) [Ewald]. So [Lu 4:18] and the Septuagint interpret it; [Lu 4:18], under inspiration, adds to this, for the fuller explanation of the single clause in the Hebrew, "to set at liberty them that are bruised"; thus expressing the double "opening" implied; namely, that of the eyes ([Joh 9:39]), and that of the prison ([Ro 6:18]; , ; [He 2:15]). His miracles were acted parables.
2. acceptable year--the year of jubilee on which "liberty was proclaimed to the captives" ([Is 61:1]; [2Co 6:2]).
day of vengeance--The "acceptable time of grace" is a "year"; the time of "vengeance" but "a day" (so [Is 34:8]; ; Mal 4:1). Jesus ([Lu 4:20], ) "closed the book" before this clause; for the interval from His first to His second coming is "the acceptable year"; the day of vengeance" will not be till He comes again ([2Th 1:7-9]).
our God--The saints call Him "our God"; for He cometh to "avenge" them ([Re 6:10]; ).
all that mourn--The "all" seems to include the spiritual Israelite mourners, as well as the literal, who are in [Is 61:3] called "them that mourn in Zion," and to whom [Is 57:18] refers.
3. To appoint ... to give--The double verb, with the one and the same accusative, imparts glowing vehemence to the style.
beauty for ashes--There is a play on the sound and meaning of the Hebrew words, peer, epher, literally, "ornamental headdress" or tiara ([Eze 24:17]), worn in times of joy, instead of a headdress of "ashes," cast on the head in mourning ([2Sa 13:19]).
oil of joy--Perfumed ointment was poured on the guests at joyous feasts ([Psa 23:5]; , ; [Am 6:6]). On occasions of grief its use was laid aside ([2Sa 14:2]).
garment of praise--bright-colored garments, indicative of thankfulness, instead of those that indicate despondency, as sackcloth ([Joh 16:20]).
trees of righteousness--Hebrew, terebinth trees; symbolical of men strong in righteousness, instead of being, as heretofore, bowed down as a reed with sin and calamity ([Is 1:29], ; 42:3; [1Ki 14:15]; [Psa 1:3]; 92:12-14; [Jr 17:8]).
planting of ... Lord--(See on [Is 60:21]).
that he might be glorified--([Joh 15:8]).
4. old wastes--Jerusalem and the cities of Judah which long lay in ruins (see on [Is 58:12]).
5. stand--shall wait on you as servants ([Is 14:1], 2; 60:10).
6. But ye--as contrasted with the "strangers." Ye shall have no need to attend to your flocks and lands: strangers will do that for you; your exclusive business will be the service of Jehovah as His "priests" ([Ex 19:6], which remains yet to be realized; compare as to the spiritual Israel, [Is 66:21]; [1Pe 2:5], ; [Re 1:6]; ).
Ministers--([Eze 44:11]).
eat ... riches of ... Gentiles--([Is 60:5-11]).
in their glory ... boast yourselves--rather, "in their splendor ye shall be substituted in their stead"; ye shall substitute yourselves [Maurer].