14 day plan

Signposts to Christ from Isaiah

Day 14 of 14

GNT

Isaiah 61:10

10 Jerusalem rejoices because of what the Lord has done.

She is like a bride dressed for her wedding.

God has clothed her with salvation and victory.

Reflection:  Have you ever been overwhelmed with joy? Many people reflect on their wedding day as their most joyous moment (despite whatever follows, good or bad).  That same idea is expressed here in Isaiah. The Judean community sees themselves as a bride that is dressed in beautiful wedding splendour. Their garments are salvation and righteousness. The image of a bride and bridegroom is well attested in the New Testament. We see this particularly in the book of Revelation. In chapter 19 the bride is prepared in garments of linen, representing righteousness. (verse 8). The bridegroom
is Christ.  This concept from Isaiah is used in the New Testament to point to the eschatological future when God’s reign will become present. In the meantime, we await this hope – not necessarily understanding how it works – but trusting in Christ, our bridegroom.

Questions: How do you resonate with this concept of being bride of Christ?

Prayer: Lord, we look to you in hope that we will see your salvation outworked both now and in the future. Help us to be worthy of being called the bride of Christ.

We have been reading the Bible with Jacqueline Grey. Tomorrow we begin a new series, Divine
Judgement, with author Roy Williams.

Isaiah 61:1-11

The Good News of Deliverance

1 The Sovereign Lord has filled me with his Spirit.

He has chosen me and sent me

To bring good news to the poor,

To heal the broken-hearted,

To announce release to captives

And freedom to those in prison.

2 He has sent me to proclaim

That the time has come

When the Lord will save his people

And defeat their enemies.

He has sent me to comfort all who mourn,

3To give to those who mourn in Zion

Joy and gladness instead of grief,

A song of praise instead of sorrow.

They will be like trees

That the Lord himself has planted.

They will all do what is right,

And God will be praised for what he has done.

4They will rebuild cities that have long been in ruins.

5My people, foreigners will serve you.

They will take care of your flocks

And farm your land and tend your vineyards.

6And you will be known as the priests of the Lord,

The servants of our God.

You will enjoy the wealth of the nations

And be proud that it is yours.

7Your shame and disgrace are ended.

You will live in your own land,

And your wealth will be doubled;

Your joy will last forever.

8The Lord says,

“I love justice and I hate oppression and crime.

I will faithfully reward my people

And make an eternal covenant with them.

9They will be famous among the nations;

Everyone who sees them will know

That they are a people whom I have blessed.”

10 Jerusalem rejoices because of what the Lord has done.

She is like a bride dressed for her wedding.

God has clothed her with salvation and victory.

11As surely as seeds sprout and grow,

The Sovereign Lord will save his people,

And all the nations will praise him.