Isaiah 61

4–7 Here Isaiah describes the restoration of Jerusalem following the Exile—and also, by extension, the restoration of God’s people under their Savior, the Messiah. The people will be called priests of the LORD (verse 6). From the beginning, the Israelites were meant to be a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6), but that ideal was never realized; in the future Jerusalem, it would be (1 Peter 2:9). The people will also receive a double portion of blessing, of inheritance (verse 7)—perhaps to make up for the double punishment they had received (Isaiah 40:2). God had called Israel His firstborn son (Exodus 4:22), and in Old Testament times, firstborn sons received a double share of the inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17).

8–9 Here the Lord speaks, as if confirming what Isaiah has said in the first seven verses. In particular, the Lord promises to make an everlasting covenant with His people (verse 8); He is referring to the “new covenant,” which Isaiah has mentioned earlier (see Isaiah 59:20–21 and comment). Under this new covenant, the people of the Lord will be blessed forever (verse 9).

10–11 Here Jerusalem itself is the “speaker.” Using figurative language, Isaiah describes how Jerusalem (Zion) will be clothed with salvation and righteousness (see Isaiah 45:8 and comment). The Lord will make His people grow like plants in a garden, and from their midst righteousness and praise will spring up (verse 11), and all nations will see it and be blessed (Genesis 12:3).