The prophets are a fairly somber group, and many of their prophecies are vivid, explicit, harsh, violent - many other descriptors are possible. Most people crossed the street when they saw one of the prophets coming because they didn't want to hear the message of sin, judgment and repentance, and because, possibly, they did not understand the sometimes bizarre behavior of the men of God.
But there is something that all of these men - those who prophesied (truthfully) God's horrible destruction on both Israel and Judah - have in common. All of their prophecies end on a note of restorations. God is angry, they say, and he is going to bring harsh judgment on his sinful people. It's going to hurt - a lot! But, when the judgment is done, he is going to restore his people's fortunes.
Even God's wrath against his people has a final purpose of restoration. Isaiah 61 and 62 are expressions of that joyful and hopeful theme. We know from the NT that the ultimate fulfillment of these promises is through the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. He would die to restore not only Israel, but all mankind to God.
But here, in this passage, we hear great promises of God's restoring power. Look at the messianic prophecy of Isaiah 61:1-3.
The Spirit of the Lord God is on Me,because the Lord has anointed Meto bring good news to the poor.He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,to proclaim liberty to the captivesand freedom to the prisoners;to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,and the day of our God’s vengeance;to comfort all who mourn,to provide for those who mourn in Zion;to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,festive oil instead of mourning,and splendid clothes instead of despair.And they will be called righteous trees,planted by the Lordto glorify Him.
The poor would hear good news, that God would provide for them what they could not provide for themselves. This likely points both literally to those who live in earthly poverty and also to all of us who are poor in spirit and lack the righteousness to please God. The brokenhearted would be healed and the captives would be freed. Instead of being under God's disciplinary judgment Israel then, and the church today, would be blessed with "the year of the Lord's favor." We experience the favor of God because of what Jesus did.
He will take everything that has troubled us, hurt us, oppressed us, devastated us and caused us to mourn, and he will replace it with his grace and joy. We will receive a crown of beauty instead of the ashes of grief. We receive a festive oil (possible a figure of the Spirit and the joy he brings) instead of sadness and mourning. Instead of sackcloth we have splendid clothes. God will establish us by the streams and cause us to grow in him.
Even when we are suffering, even when we come under God's discipline, we know, as Israel did, that God's ultimate goal was to restore them and bless them. Our sin and failure never gets the last word. God words to lift us up, clean us off, and create in us the righteous life he desires.
- Father, I thank you for your restoration and grace. If it was up to me, I would utterly fail, but your grace restores me and gives me hope.
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