Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus,
We continue our examination of Isaiah 61 and of the works and greater works that Jesus spoke of in John 14:12. As we’ve discovered, the works Jesus did are prophetically described in Isaiah 61:1-2. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus, Himself, announced the works He would do by reading from Isaiah and stating in Luke 4:21, “This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.” And when we read though Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the first chapter of Acts, we see Jesus fulfill the works described in Isaiah 61:1-2.
Now, we will begin to examine the “greater works” which Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would do through us, as Believers. As mentioned in Part I of this series, the second half of Isaiah 61:2 through verse 11 is the ministry of The Holy Spirit in this earth until the fulfillment of the age of the gentiles: “and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all that mourn;”.
The second half of Isaiah 61:2 speaks of two contrasting themes: vengeance and comfort. We must remember that Jesus was not sent to take vengeance or to condemn but to save and to introduce The Kingdom of God. Vengeance is the Hebrew word, “naqam” meaning, “to avenge or to take vengeance, retribution.” It refers to divine justice—God’s judgment upon those who oppose Him or reject His ways. This could be understood as a time when God sets things right, punishing wickedness and bringing justice to the oppressed. He does this through the administration of His Kingdom on this earth through us as Believers with the help of The Holy Spirit. On the other hand, “to comfort all that mourn” highlights God’s mercy and compassion. It signifies His promise to heal, restore, and bring hope to those who suffer through a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 61:3
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 61:3 paints a picture of believers as strong and enduring creations of God, purposefully placed to display His splendor and goodness. God intends for us, as Believers, to be willing and obedient to Him so He can use us to show out to the world what it is like being a child, heir, and joint heir of the Most High God and His Son Jesus. This is why Jesus constantly points us back to our Spiritual forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They believed in the blood covenant they had with God and look how they prospered in all areas of their lives when they walked with God. Jesus is telling us we have a better covenant than our Spiritual forefathers and look how well off they were in this world. We’re to be even greater and to do greater.
God has placed us here in this time, purposely. We are to use the Spiritual Laws of The Kingdom of God and the authority and power of Jesus’ name and blood to see that Isaiah 61:2-11 come to pass in this earth.
“Beauty for ashes“: This refers to exchanging sorrow and destruction (symbolized by ashes) for joy and restoration (beauty). In ancient times, people would sit in ashes as an expression of grief or repentance. God promises to replace despair with something beautiful and life-giving.
“The oil of joy for mourning“: Oil was often used in celebrations or as a symbol of gladness, while mourning signifies sorrow. This phrase portrays God replacing grief with deep joy and gladness.
“The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness“: A “spirit of heaviness” reflects a burdened or downtrodden soul. God offers a “garment of praise”—a covering of joy, gratitude, and worship—to lift that heaviness and replace it with a heart of thanksgiving.
“Trees of righteousness” refers to people who are steadfast and grounded in their faith just as trees are firmly rooted in the earth. Trees are often used as metaphors for strength, growth, and endurance throughout the Bible. “Righteousness” highlights the moral uprightness and Godly character of these individuals. Those who exercise “righteousness” will display the fruits of righteousness which are protection, deliverance, healing and wholeness, and prosperity.
“The planting of the Lord” signifies that these “trees of righteousness” are not self-made but are cultivated and established by God Himself. It emphasizes divine intentionality and care, suggesting that God plants, nurtures, and enables His people to thrive for His glory.
Isaiah 61:4
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.
Isaiah 61:4 underscores the transformative work of God’s people in healing and rebuilding both the physical and spiritual aspects of their lives, their communities, and the world. It’s a vision of hope and renewal, where ruins caused by bondage to the power of darkness are replaced with thriving life once again. And God uses us, as Believers, to do this by exercising the Spiritual Laws of The Kingdom through the authority and power of Jesus’ name and blood. However, we tend to settle making excuses for our inabilities, our lack, our failures, and our current state in life. Or we settle because we are comfortable.
It pains me when I hear preachers, teachers, evangelists, missionaries, or other Believers “settling” saying, “we are happy in Christ Jesus because He is everything.” This is true, but it is being used as a cop out for moving The Kingdom of God forward THE WAY God wants it moved forward. We have deliverance, we have protection, we have healing and wholeness, and we have Spiritual, material, and financial prosperity as part of salvation. We are not to settle, not to rationalize, not to use trite religious expressions to cover our lack of faith and our fear. God wants us to have the mindset of David when he took on Goliath. There was no settling, there was no rationalizing, there were no excuses, and there were no trite religious expressions. David never acknowledged Goliath until it was time to destroy him. And David KNEW he had a covenant with the Most High God that God had to keep or else He would be a liar. What follows in this message we are to do in this world through the covenant we have with God The Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.
“And they shall build the old wastes“: This signifies the rebuilding of areas that were ruined or neglected over time. It represents physical restoration but also spiritual renewal, where broken lives and communities are revitalized.
“They shall raise up the former desolations“: This implies restoring places that had fallen into ruin. It reflects bringing back what was lost or destroyed, whether through war, exile, or hardship.
“And they shall repair the waste cities“: This points to the effort of repairing abandoned or destroyed cities, focusing on both their physical and social structure. It’s about healing and rebuilding a society that was once broken.
“The desolations of many generations“: This emphasizes the long-lasting impact of destruction, showing that some ruins have persisted through multiple generations. The promise of restoration here is profound, as it addresses deeply rooted and enduring devastation.
Isaiah 61:5
And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
Isaiah 61:5 is a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty in restoration and His ability to use even those outside the covenant community to fulfill His purposes. God intends to use the glory (wealth) of the nations and the wealth and riches of the sinner (the unsaved) for His Kingdom purposes on this earth. God is looking for Believers who He can faithfully trust when He transfers the wealth of the sinner. God wants to fulfill His promise in Genesis 12:2-3, but He needs men and women of faith He can trust. God is looking for those that won’t settle, won’t rationalize, won’t make excuses, and won’t bow down to mediocrity. If this is you, and you’ve demonstrated your reliability through faithful tithing and offerings, and you believe God can do the impossible, then speak up and tell God I’m ready to be used for Your glory, Your honor, and Your purpose. I’ve been faithful in being a blessing to others and to the families of the earth by Your hand. I’m ready to be used for the greater works.
“Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks“: This phrase symbolizes a reversal of roles and fortunes. Historically, Israel experienced subjugation and exile, often serving foreign powers. Here, the promise is one of restoration, where outsiders or Gentiles will serve the people of God. The imagery of shepherding reflects care and provision, emphasizing the blessings and prosperity that God will bring to His people.
“The sons of the alien shall be your ploughmen and your vinedressers“: This part continues the theme of restoration. Foreigners, who were once seen as oppressors or threats, will now take on roles that support and sustain the community. Plowing and tending vineyards were essential agricultural activities in ancient Israel, necessary for survival and prosperity. This imagery suggests a time of peace and abundance.
As we can see, God’s plan was, and is, to use us as His Kingdom’s Ambassadors, in which His Holy Spirit indwells, to bring about this profound change everywhere we go in this earth. It is hard for most of us to imagine ourselves as this powerful Spiritual being, housed in a fleshly body, able to do the greater works described by Jesus and Isaiah. The reason we can’t is because we have an identity problem. We see ourselves the way we used to be, the way the world wants to see us, or we see our problems and challenges as greater than us. Rather, we must understand we are a “new creation” imbued with the mind of Christ, with an anointing, with The Holy Spirit, a child, heir, and joint heir of God Almighty and Jesus Christ His Son, and we can do ALL THINGS through Jesus Christ Which strengthens us. This means we are empowered, equipped, and expected to do the works and the greater works Jesus speaks of in John 14:12.
In Part III of this series, we’ll continue looking at God’s charge, or His orders, to us in Isaiah 61. God’s plan is to use those He can trust to do the greater works. Is this you? Are we ready to step up and step out in His faith?
Much love in Christ Jesus,
Larry