Poor and Brokenhearted No More – Isaiah 61:1-4

“Until we embrace our mutual brokenness, our work with low-income people is likely to do more harm than good.”  That quote comes from the book When Helping Hurts, by Corbett and Fikkert.  They describe how financially well-off people often only see poverty in financial terms.  But there is spiritual, political, emotional, social and other kinds of poverty that we may experience.  Jesus came to bring good news to the poor.

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.  They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.  (Isaiah 61:1-4 ESV)

After depicting Israel’s glorious future, Yahweh now shows them how it will come about.  The servant of Yahweh, the Messiah, speaks in the first person and announces that the Spirit of Yahweh is upon him, giving him power as God’s selected (anointed) leader to bring Yahweh’s good news of this glorious future to the poor.  Israel has been poor, not just financially but spiritually.

Israel has been brokenhearted, captive and bound by their rebellion and sin, but Messiah will proclaim their liberty and heal them, because for them, this is the year of Yahweh’s favor.  For those against Israel and God it is the day of His vengeance.  The result will be the end of mourning for Israel and the beginning of joy forever.  Instead of weak saplings Israel will become a nation of mighty oaks and will accomplish in Yahweh’s strength the rebuilding of their nation in righteousness.

Jesus read this passage in the synagogue and proclaimed that it was fulfilled in his listeners day with him, and they rejected that.  But he in fact began this victory after suffering first as our substitute to pay for our rebellion (Isaiah 53).  In him we have been set free and our wounds bound up.  He is making us oaks of righteousness and we are contributing to the restoration of his kingdom, as we call men, women and children to come to him for salvation and favor.

Discussion Questions

1. What has been your experience of seeing poor people helped?
2. Why do you or don’t you consider yourself poor?
3. Why do you or don’t you consider yourself heartbroken?
4. Why do you or don’t you consider yourself a captive?
5. In what ways has God replaced your poverty, broken heart, and captivity with beauty and gladness?
6. What does God have you doing to build up the kingdom?