INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 61 In this chapter both Christ and the church are introduced speaking, in their turns. It begins with the words of Christ, describing his work and office; his qualifications for it; the several parts and branches of it; and the ends to be answered by it; Isaiah 61:1, the repa... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD GOD IS UPON ME,.... According to the Targum, these are the words of the prophet concerning himself; and so say Aben Ezra and Kimchi; but the latter elsewhere says p they are the words of the Messiah, who should say, "because the Lord hath anointed me", c. and another of their... [ Continue Reading ]
TO PROCLAIM THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD,.... Not an exact year, but time in general; for such are wrong, who from hence conclude that Christ's public ministry lasted but a year, since it is certain, by the passovers he kept, that it must be at least three or four years; the whole time of Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
TO APPOINT UNTO THEM THAT MOURN IN ZION,.... Or, "to the mourners of Zion" u; such who are of Zion, belong to the church of God, and mourn for the corruptions in Zion's doctrines; for the perversion, abuse, and neglect of Zion's ordinances; for the disorders and divisions in Zion; for the declension... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SHALL BUILD THE OLD WASTES,.... The captives set at liberty, and who are called trees of righteousness, and the planting of the Lord; righteous and good men, who shall be employed in the spiritual building of the church in Gospel times, and especially in the latter day; for here begins an a... [ Continue Reading ]
AND STRANGERS SHALL STAND AND FEED YOUR FLOCKS,.... The several congregated churches of Christ, which shall be set among them, compared to flocks of sheep, as they often are; and which shall be fed with knowledge and understanding, with the words of faith and sound doctrine, by pastors of the Gentil... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT YE SHALL BE NAMED THE PRIESTS OF THE LORD,.... Or, "and ye shall be named", c. which Jerom understands of the builders of cities, pastors of flocks, the ploughmen and vinedressers, the strangers and the sons of the alien, that these also should be called priests: but rather it designs the Jews,... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR YOUR SHAME YOU SHALL HAVE DOUBLE,.... Or, "for your double shame" b; instead of being a reproach, a proverb, a taunt, and a curse, as the Jews now are everywhere; being converted, they will have double honour, both in things civil and religious, be in great esteem with Christ, and all his people... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I THE LORD LOVE JUDGMENT,.... To do that which is right and just himself, and to see it done by others, and therefore he will right the wrongs of his people; and whereas the Jews, though they have justly suffered his vengeance for their sins, yet being reproached and abused beyond measure by the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEIR SEED SHALL BE KNOWN AMONG THE GENTILES, AND THEIR OFFSPRING AMONG THE PEOPLE,.... Not only the Jews will be converted as a body in the latter day, but there will be a succession of converts among them in later ages, and will be known among Christian Gentiles by their faith and love, and go... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL GREATLY REJOICE IN THE LORD,.... These are not the words of the prophet spoken in his own person, rejoicing in the goodness of the Lord to his people and countrymen; nor of Christ; but of the church, especially the Jewish church, expressing her joy for benefits received, as declared in the pr... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS THE EARTH BRINGETH FORTH HER BUD,.... Of tender grass in the spring of the year, after a long and cold winter, being well manured: AND AS THE GARDEN CAUSETH THE THINGS THAT ARE SOWN IN IT TO SPRING FORTH being enclosed, and better taken care of, and well watered, and dunged, and cultivated;... [ Continue Reading ]