Isaiah 61:7-11

⁷ Because their shame was double, and insult was celebrated as their lot, therefore they will possess a double portion; permanent joy will be for them. ⁸ Because I, Yahveh, love justice, I hate robbery and violent crime; I will faithfully give them their compensation, and I will make a permanent covenant with them. ⁹ Their descendants will be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them will acknowledge that they are a people whom Yahveh has blessed. ¹⁰ I will greatly rejoice in Yahveh, my soul will display joy in my God; because he has clothed me with the garments of deliverance, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom outfits himself with a head-dress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. ¹¹ Because as the earth produces its shoots, and as a garden causes what is planted in it to spring up, so the Lord Yahveh will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

permanent joy

Three times in his prophecies, Isaiah predicts that Israel will experience permanent joy.[1] This is the third time. He looks upon a nation whose shame was celebrated, and promises a day when their descendants will be glorified permanently. He describes their joy using two delightful similes. They will rejoice like an engaged couple preparing for the wedding. They will rejoice like a garden which has produced a beautiful display of righteousness and praise for all the nations to see.

The good news for you today is that you, too can be part of that wedding show. You can be part of the bumper crop of beautiful that God has planned. We who put our faith in Christ will also inherit this permanent joy. The angel who announced Christ’s birth said his coming was good news of great joy to all the people.[2] The fruit of the Holy Spirit is joy.[3] And we are part of that great crowd of believers who will rejoice on that wedding day.[4] Put your faith in Christ, and you will know that joy that can never be taken away.

LORD, enfold us into your plan to redeem and glorify your planet. We accept your offer of permanent joy.

[1] (שמחה עולם). 35:10; 51:11; 61:7.

[2] Luke 2:10.

[3] Galatians 5:22.

[4] Revelation 19:6-7.