61:9
“Their descendants will be among the nations and their offspring among the peoples”. The covenant people of God will be dispersed throughout the world and will come from all peoples. (Matt 28:19,20). And the world will acknowledge that they are a people blessed by the Lord. Now, at present we do not see God’s people acknowledged as blessed by the world. In the West many despise us, in many countries Christians are violently persecuted. God’s word is clear that this will not always be the case.
61:10
Isaiah then exults in praise and gratitude and rejoicing. The Lord has clothed us with garments of salvation and robes of righteousness. Then we get the wedding analogy, reminding us of the church being the bride of Christ. We should appreciate the enormous richness of God’s salvation and of His plans and purposes for the church. God is in the business of providing a perfect bride for His Son.
61:11
The nation had been bent on disobeying God, just as the whole world is. But God’s plans will not be deterred. He will cause righteousness and praise spring up before the nations. Israel was meant to be a witness to the world, and we are meant to be a witness to the world. We need to remember that in these days when the world is increasingly hostile to the church and the gospel. We are to live in God’s power and love.
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