As Christians under the New Covenant, we also have an anointing: But you have an anointing from the Holy One (1Jo. 2:20). In the New Testament sense, anointing has the idea of being filled with, and blessed by, the Holy Spirit. This is something that is the common property of all Christians, but something we can and should become more submitted and responsive to.

The Messiah announces that He is here to heal the damage that sin brings. Sin has done great damage, so there needs to be a great work of redemption. Because sin impoverishes, He will preach good tidings to the poor. Because sin breaks hearts, He will heal the brokenhearted. Because sin makes captives, He will proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. Because sin oppresses, He will proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. Because sin is a crime that must be avenged, He will proclaim . . . the day of vengeance of our God. Significantly, Jesus stopped reading before this sentence. He stopped in the middle of the prophecy, because to proclaim . . . the day of vengeance of our God is relevant to His Second Coming, not to His first coming. The comma in year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance has stood for almost 2,000 years. This shows us something of the nature of Biblical prophecy: it may “shift gears” and time frames quickly, and without warning. We can compare a whole year of grace to a single day of vengeance.

Because sin brings grief, He will comfort all who mourn. The extent of the comfort and restoration is beautifully described. Instead of the ashes of mourning, He gives His people beauty. Instead of the mourning itself, He gives His people the oil of joy. Instead of the spirit of heaviness, He gives His people the garment of praise. Why do we sit in the ashes, why do we mourn, why do we indulge the spirit of heaviness when Jesus gave us something so much better? The word beauty has in mind a beautiful crown or head ornament. It is translated exquisite hats in Exo. 39:28 and headdresses in Isa. 3:20. In mourning, ashes would be cast upon the head (2Sa. 13:19). Here, the ashes are replaced with a beautiful crown. That they may be called trees of righteousness: The restored place of God’s people is glorious. The are as strong, beautiful, and useful as trees – and trees of righteousness at that. Most wonderfully, when people look at the trees, they see they are the planting of the Lord. D. Guzik

Trees of the Field…

Some of this is my attempt at poetry on a subject well known and some of it is a song we sing. I hope you enjoy the combination.

And The Trees of the Field Shall… 

The voice and the breath of God moves thru the Trees of the Field. They grow upright into His peace, His place. Their branches and leaves remain open, praising, upward and holy so that He may be able to flow in them, thru them, and infiltrate them. His presence completely surrounds them!

Their growth is high, as leaves and fruit are high above the ground, above the filth and dust where the evil one lives.  That which is not good falls off, and returns to the ground, their dead fruit is given to the dark.  Their dead branches turn down to look at the dust because they are too dark and heavy with death to reach up and seek God. 

The Trees of the Fields shame is looking down, their praise is looking up. Their roots grow deep and firm in Him that they may be established and stand, not letting weeds, rot and every heavy evil weigh them down to destroy them. 

They remain high and lifted up to God. They love their creator and show it in their beauty. They raise their branches toward heaven. 

I look up and raise my hands to the heavens. I clap my hands in praise and joy! I know God surrounds me and infiltrates me and I know I bend in the wind. Sometimes, I do look down and find evil weighing me down! I look up and see Jesus at the right hand of Gods’ throne, sitting there interceding for me. I love my creator and pray that I shall be like the trees of the field and grow beside the still water and be strong.

Isa 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap [their] hands.

AMEN,

Marsha