God’s Good Favor (61:1–11)

Release from darkness (61:1). Literally “eye-opening”; see comment on 42:7.

Year of the Lord’s Favor

Happiness and plenty are the goal of an ideal reign. A letter containing a prophecy addressed to Ashurbanipal foretells blessings from Shamash and Adad. These gods establish

a happy reign: days of justice, years of equity, heavy rains, water in full flood, a thriving commerce. . . . Old men dance, young men sing, women and maidens are glad and make merry. . . . Whom his crime has condemned to death, the king my lord has let live; who has been held prisoner many years, is set free; who were sick many days have recovered. The hungry have been sated; the lice-infested have been anointed; the naked have been clad in garments.A-295

Many of these same elements characterize the anticipated messianic reign in Israel. Since justice and righteousness are the ideal (61:3, 8, 10, 11; see sidebars on “Unjust Laws” at 10:1, “The Ideal King” at 11:1), they are anticipated. An Amarna letter indicates much the same understanding of the terms involved here when Rib-hadda asks that his case be heard “and give me my due”A-296—that which is rightfully and equitably his. The Egyptian Instruction of Ptahhotep indicates the importance of justice in Egypt: “Great is justice, lasting in effect, unchallenged since the time of Osiris. . . . In the end it is justice that lasts.”A-297

The poor benefit from increased commerce; trade brings prosperity from faraway places. It was an important part of the economy of the entire region (see sidebar on “Military vs. Diplomacy” at 39:1). Jubilation will replace a downcast heart, freedom will replace captivity, and clothing, nakedness. Poverty is equated to bondage in a Prayer to Atum in Papyrus Anastasi: “Amun, lend your ear to the lonely in court, he is poor. . . . Let the poor go free; might the poor appear as the justified.”A-298

Who mourn . . . who grieve (61:2–3). See sidebar on “Mourning Rites” at 15:2.

Oil of gladness (61:3). Anointing with oil was not only a sign of consecration for a task (v. 1); it was also part of joyful feasting that took place when messengers brought good news.1401 In the incantation series Maqlu speaks of “oil that soothes men’s muscles.”1402 The state of the destitute will be reversed. Instead of being outcasts, they will be welcomed.

As a bride (61:10). See comment on 49:18.