The Year of the Lord’s Favor
The Believers Life Style Bible Study
Presents
The Year of the Lord’s Favor
May 20, 2020
Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-11
Presented by Michael Webb
Open It
- What is your favorite “rags to riches” story?
- *What are some of the reasons we call people blessed or fortunate?
Explore It
- *What are the purposes for which God’s Anointed was sent into the world? (61:1-3)
- What adornments did Isaiah say God’s people would receive in exchange for “ashes,” “mourning,” and “a spirit of despair”? (61:3)
- Why did God “plant” His people with great honor? (61:3)
- What promise did God make concerning the cities that had been destroyed by invaders? (61:4)
- How would the work force of Israel reflect its power and status? (61:5)
- *Besides riches, what honor did Isaiah say God would bestow on all His people? (61:6)
- How is the joy of God’s redeemed people contrasted with their present condition? (61:7)
- What does God love? (61:8)
- What does God hate? (61:8)
- *What will the whole world understand about God’s people? (61:9)
- How did Isaiah illustrate the honor and intimacy with which God will relate to His people? (61:10)
- What did Isaiah portray as sprouting like seeds out of soil? (61:11)
Get It
- *How would you characterize the sorts of people for whom the Messiah came?
- How do you see the qualities of the Messiah listed in Isaiah 61 illustrated in the life of Jesus?
- Why is blessing His people an effective way for God to display His splendor?
- What would it signal about your status with the giver if you were to inherit a “double portion” in his or her will?
- *Why is it important to God that all nations acknowledge Him?
Apply It
- *In light of God’s attitudes and purposes, how do you plan to react to those around you this week who are grieving or despairing?
- What creative idea could you suggest to leaders in your Sunday School or church for giving special thanks to God for His generous blessings?
The Good News of Salvation
61 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to [a]heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To [b]console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
4 And they shall rebuild the old ruins,
They shall raise up the former desolations,
And they shall repair the ruined cities,
The desolations of many generations.
5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks,
And the sons of the foreigner
Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
6 But you shall be named the priests of the Lord,
They shall call you the servants of our God.
You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles,
And in their glory you shall boast.
7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,
And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.
Therefore in their land they shall possess double;
Everlasting joy shall be theirs.
8 “For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery [c]for burnt offering;
I will direct their work in truth,
And will make with them an everlasting covenant.
9 Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles,
And their offspring among the people.
All who see them shall acknowledge them,
That they are the posterity whom the Lord has blessed.”
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
My soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its bud,
As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth,
So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
