Isaiah 61 · Grade 4

The Year of Yahweh's Favor

Name Date

Read and Think

Isaiah 61 begins, "The Lord Yahweh's Spirit is on me, because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives." He would "proclaim the year of Yahweh's favor" and "comfort all who mourn."

In the New Testament, Jesus stood up in the synagogue at Nazareth, read this passage, and said that this Scripture had been fulfilled in their hearing that day (Luke 4:21). He stopped reading after "the year of Yahweh's favor" and did not read about "the day of vengeance." Many see this as showing his first coming was for mercy.

The mourners would receive "a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." They would be called "trees of righteousness, the planting of Yahweh." They would rebuild old ruins. The speaker rejoices: "he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness."

Show What You Know

Why is the Spirit on the speaker?
Where did Jesus read this passage in the New Testament?
Where did Jesus stop reading?
What would the mourners be called?

Think About It

In the New Testament, Jesus came to bind up the broken hearted (Luke 4:18). How can you help someone who is sad?
God gives the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. How can praising God help when you feel heavy?

Memory Verse

“Strangers will stand and feed your flocks. Foreigners will work your fields and your vineyards.”

Isaiah 61:5 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for bringing good news. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What does Jubilee mean?
God gave His people beauty instead of ashes. What sad thing in your life could God make beautiful?