Isaiah 61

This chapter is about a prophetic word given by the prophet Isaiah concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, vs 1-3 and Luke 4:16-21. However, vs 4 tells us that those who are thus set free by the Lord will be those who shall build the old wastes, shall raise up the former desolations, shall repair the waste cities and the desolations of many generations.

These promises are very similar to the promises given to those who fast appropriately before the Lord as mentioned in Isaiah 58:6,7,9,10,12-14. They apply to those who:
loose the bands of wickedness, undo the heavy burdens, let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke.

They feed the hungry, give shelter to the poor, cover the naked and do not hide themselves from their own flesh.
They remove the burdensome yoke from among themselves and stop pointing fingers and speaking sinfully.
They help the hungry and feed the oppressed.

They observe the Sabbath by not doing anything they please and they treat it with respect by refraining from their normal activities, and from their selfish pursuits and from making business deals.
(Isaiah 58:6,7,9,10,12-14)
As we practice the above commandments, we can be assured that all the blessings mentioned in Isaiah 58 and 61 will apply to us as well!

Foreigners will be our servants, Isaiah 61:5. We will be called the Lord’s priests, vs 6. Instead of shame, we will get a double portion; instead of humiliation, we will rejoice over the land we receive, vs 7. Our descendants will be blessed and known among the nations, vs 9.

For the Lord loves justice and hates robbery and sin. So, as we obey Him by honestly repenting of our sins, He will repay us because of His faithfulness, and will make a permanent covenant with us, vs 8. The prophet rejoices in the revelation of God’s promises of deliverance and vindication to His people who obey Him, vs 10. Unto them alone will He send His deliverance, and so give His obedient people reason to praise Him in the sight of all the nations, vs 11!

So let us delay no longer in fulfilling the conditions, so as to be inheritors of the marvellous blessings of Abraham made available to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Rowena Thomas
Mumbai, India.

Zion’s New Name

The Lord Almighty after said through the prophet Isaiah about Israel’s release from captivity, said about the future kingdom from chapters 60-66.

The chapter 62 tells about the Zion’s new name and the new names of the people. In Isaiah 62:2 the Lord said: “The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.” The new name of the city and the people are as below:

1️⃣ Hephzibah and Beulah (62:4):
The Lord said that for Zion’s sake He would not remain quiet till her vindication shines out like the dawn. In order the nations to see her vindication and all kings her glory He would give new name to Zion. He said: the city called “‘Deserted” henceforth will be called as “Hephzibah” because the Lord will take delight in her. And the land named “Desolate” will be renamed as “Beulah” because the land will be married.

These names tell of the Lord’s tender affection and marital delight in the Jerusalem city and the land. In order to make the city praise of the earth, He had posted watchman on Jerusalem so that they would never be silent day or night and also not to give themselves rest. The Lord also had promised that never again He would give her grain as food for her enemies and never again would foreigners drink the new wine rather it would be enjoyed by those who laboured. Those who harvest it would eat it and praise the Lord; those who gather the grapes would drink it.

2️⃣ The Holy people and the Redeemed (62:12)
The Lord Almighty also said that after their return from exile the people would pass through the gates of Jerusalem; build up the highway; remove the stones, raise a banner for the nations. The Lord would also give new names to the people of Jerusalem as ” the holy people” and “the Redeemed of the Lord” He also said: the people will be called as “Sought After” and ” the City No longer Deserted.”

Today believers are also have new names- Christians and in 1 Peter 2:5 we are called a holy priesthood (1Peter 2:5).

Jasmin Christalda Mohan (Admin. of group No.7112), Chennai, India.