God’s Mandate

Isaiah 61:1-11

“The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Isaiah describes the mandate God has given him, as a prophet to Israel, foreshadowing what Christ would provide for mankind, but it applies to every follower of Christ today, and especially the pastors and teachers.  They are to provide good news to meek people who are not so wrapped up in themselves that they won’t listen to anybody else.  They are to help them recover from their emotional injuries, showing there is deliverance from the consequences of sin, but also that they can be delivered from the control of sin today.  They are to tell them about the Lord’s setting up his earthly kingdom, and warn them of his judgment of the earth.  They are to assure people that the sorrow will eventually be over and that there is something better to come in the future., so that they are looking to the future with a sense of eagerness, thanking God rather than complaining and being depressed.  The people will be known as God’s people at that time. 

“And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.  And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.” (Isaiah 61:4-5)

When the time comes, they will rebuild the ancient cities and communities that have been nothing but ruins for centuries.  People from other lands will flock to Jerusalem working for the Jews, doing menial work such as herding sheep and farming the land. 

“But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.  For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.” (Isaiah 61:6-7)

During the Tribulation, many of the Jews will turn to Christ, and whn He establishes his earthly kingdom, those who believe in him will be counted as his priests and servants.  Like Old Testament priests, they will receive a portion of everything given to God.  Because of the degradation and shame they have suffered for serving god, they will receive a double portion, rejoicing and enjoying their newfound freedoms and power.  Revelation 20:4-6 describes a little of this.  “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” During that time no sin will be condoned.

“For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.  And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.” (Isaiah 61:8-9)

The Lord loves justice and discernment.  He hates having the fruits of robbery and wrong doing offered as an offering to thank him for his help or as an effort to enlist his help.  He will direct them in the proper way, making an eternal contract with the people.  As a result, their descendants will be widely known, as God’s people that god blesses.

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.  For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” (Isaiah 61:10-11)

Because of what God will do, his people will rejoice for what he does for them, knowing he has given clothed them with Christ’s righteousness and given them eternal salvation, almost like a bride or bridegroom putting on their wedding gown or tuxedo in celebration.  Just as he causes the plants to bud and the garden plants to grow, God will cause his people to be righteous praise him before all the nations of the world.