the spirit and servant - With Isaiah 61 we have a convergence of previous promises and allusions in chapters 59 and 60 concerning the Spirit and Servant. In 59:21, the Lord initiates a covenant with Israel that centers in the bestowing of the Spirit and the promise of a servant/redeemer. Here in Isaiah 61, the Spirit comes upon the Servant in order to carry out this redemption or reversal of conditions and situations.

if/then clauses replaced - In chapter 61 we see another new development concerning how such a magnificent action of God’s saving action will be carried out. Formerly, the promise was made solely in the context of the if/then structure-if those addressed did righteousness and justice, then . . . But now the language changes and the conditional clauses are replaced by God’s personal mission to redeem the community. The promise is delivered full stop . . . [1]

imagery - Much of the beauty and power of this chapter comes from the evocative images of "joy"-"the oil of gladness," "a garland instead of ashes," "the mantle of praise," etc. Such joy needs to be sounded during advent rather than bah-humbugging the commercialism of Christmas that leaves us worn out with maxed out credit cards long before the twenty-fifth rolls around. Joy comes from knowledge of a redeeming God and a Savior who inspires hope and endurance. [2]

[3] What good news is the prophet bringing to the poor and broken-hearted?

During times of grief, people would put on sackcloth and cover themselves with ashes as a sign of their mourning. With what will God replace these garments?

Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God-Leon Bloy

 

sermons on this passage - "God’s Seal of Hope" [4]/ "We May Have to Change Our Name." [5]

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[1] New Interpreter’s Bible VI (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2001), page 514.
[2] Frederick Houk Borsch describes “subversive joy” in Isaiah 61 and draws from Desmond Tutu and El Salvadoran Christians for Advent joy that hopes.  New Proclamation 2002 (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2002), page 271.
[3] Serendipity Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Co., 1998), page 354.
[4] The Abingdon Preaching Annual 2002 Ed. (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2001), page 425.
[5] Richard L. Eslinger, Prepare in the Wilderness (Lima, Ohio: CCS Publishing, 1984), page 35.