January 20: THE MESSIAH'S EARTHLY MISSION (part 4)

To console all who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3

Consolation for all who mourn in Zion applies to the sorrow God’s people experience over their own sins, but also their distress over the sins of others. Though each individual is responsible only for his or her own sins (see Ezekiel 18:20) and cannot control the decisions of others, the opening phrase here is meant to spark intercessory prayer. Most believers will admit that their own decision to accept the Lord’s offer of salvation came on the heels of the prayers of others who faithfully prayed for them.

Beauty for ashes explicitly refers to the practice of repentance before God (Job 42:6), and His response to all who come to Him desiring forgiveness and divine guidance for life. The Hebrew word translated beauty here literally means headdress. In place of the ashes of mourning cast by the repentant one upon his own head, the Lord gives a crown! (2 Timothy 4:8)

The oil of joy for mourning… Fragrant oil has a powerfully uplifting effect, and here alludes to being anointed for holy service (see Psalm 45:7, a messianic reference to Christ). Christ’s followers are to joyfully and actively follow in His steps, having, by faith, accepted His plan of salvation for their lives.

The garment of praise continues in the theme of joy. The robe of Christ’s righteousness comes to mind, representing His covering for past sins and continued guidance for those who have joined His kingdom by faith. This robe is ‘visible evidence’ in the world of faithfulness to Him.

A spirit of heaviness is upon those who have yet to repent, bringing an individual directly to the point of choosing between God’s way and the ways of the fallen world. The unrepentant are led by the enemy of souls to deny the heavy weight of sin, even though their consciences are aware.

The Old Testament usage of trees of righteousness as metaphors for God’s people is borrowed by John the Revelator as he presents the concept of having the seal of the living God in the end times. Having His seal protects them from the dangers of last-day deceptions. Like mature, majestic trees that are still standing after a terrible storm, they will be firmly planted in the word of God. Their lives will point to Him, positively influencing others, that He may be glorified.

Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” Revelation 7:2-3

For further study: Exodus 20:11; Psalm 1:2-3; Isaiah 61:10; Ezekiel 9:4; Zechariah 3:1-7; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Jude 12, 24; Revelation 9:4; 13:16; 14:1, 7, 9, 12; 20:4; 22:4