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When Jesus read this in Luke 4, it should have been clear that the miracles and wonders that He had
               been doing were a direct outgrowth of this prophecy.

               Notice that Jesus did not read the part about the ‘day of the vengeance’ of our God, because that part
               would not be fulfilled until His second coming.

               V. 4-6  Israel went through several different times of devastation, due to their disobedience, and
               rebuilding, after their repentance.

               When these ruins are rebuilt, the very people who oppressed them will now stand and feed the flocks
               and plow your fields.

               The people of Israel are told that they shall be named priests, and shall now enjoy the spoils, the ‘riches’
               of the Gentiles instead of the other way around.

               Clearly, the reference to being ‘priests’ is a prophecy fulfilled after Christ.  1 Peter 2: 9
               Before Christ, people could only access the Lord through the priest; after Christ, all believers are priests.

               V. 7-9 Like beauty for ashes, we will have honor instead of shame.  It was shameful for Israel to be
               dominated by foreign powers, but honor was on its way.

               The people of Israel are promised a double portion and this beautiful promise: ‘Everlasting joy’.

               Joy is defined best by the word ‘everlasting’ or eternal.  It’s not happiness, which is based on the current
               conditions, but on eternity.

               God loves justice, He loves when people reap the fruits of their labors. But, as so often happens, He
               balances what He loves with what He hates.  He hates ‘robbery for burnt offering’.  2 Samuel 24: 24  If
               David had accepted the gift to offer the Lord, it wouldn’t have been robbery, but it certainly was no
               sacrifice.

               But, if we operate with justice, God will make with us an ‘everlasting’ covenant.

               V. 10-11 This is Jesus speaking.  He has been clothed in garments of salvation and righteousness.  He is
               the bridegroom and is preparing His bride, which is us.

               Just as a garden brings forth its produce after it is sown, so will God bring righteousness and praise to
               spring forth.


               17.4  Let’s Practice…


                      Questions from Chapter 58
                      1.  What is the main idea of Chapter 58?






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