Author: Administrador

The wedding metaphor that sets up our passage in Isaiah 62 is probably the reason it was chosen to serve as a Christmas text. God comes to marry his city. Christian tradition tends to read here a metaphor of Christ’s marriage with the church. “See, your salvation comes” (verse 11). Striking then, on the day … Continue reading “Isaiah 62:6-12 Commentary by Ingrid Lilly”

At first glance this seems a strange text for this high celebration of the church — the birth of our Savior. Scholars describe it as a poem that celebrates the vindication of Jerusalem (Zion by another name) and the restoration that followed the return of the people from exile. But the tone of the opening … Continue reading “Isaiah 62:6-12 Commentary by Gennifer Benjamin Brooks”

I. Will. Not. Keep. Silent. It will not be possible to make me shut up. I will talk and not stop talking, proclaim and not stop proclaiming, preach and not stop preaching. I will shake the skies with my voice. I will not pause. I will not rest, for the sake of the precious city … Continue reading “Isaiah 62:1-5 Commentary by Anathea Portier-Young”

Isaiah 62:1-5 is part of that section of the book of Isaiah which is often termed “Third Isaiah” and placed historically in the postexilic period of Judah, although a more precise date within this period is difficult to determine.1 Some scholars read Isaiah 66:1 to mean that construction of the second temple has begun, but … Continue reading “Isaiah 62:1-5 Commentary by Callie Plunket-Brewton”

Our text falls within the central section (chapters 60-62) of what is traditionally known as Third Isaiah (chapters 56-66). According to the historical-critical consensus, this portion of the book was written by disciples of Second Isaiah (chapters 40-55) after the return from exile. However, the return was not as glorious as Second Isaiah had envisioned … Continue reading “Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Commentary by J. Clinton McCann”

The lectionary’s creators evidently viewed this portion of Isaiah as both eminently appropriate to Christmas and flexible in its boundaries. The reading for this first Sunday after Christmas overlaps with the Isaiah reading just three weeks before, on the third Sunday of Advent (Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11). Isaiah 62:1-5 is read during Epiphany in Year C, … Continue reading “Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Commentary by Patricia Tull”

The book of Ezekiel defines a true prophet in this way: one who repairs the wall and stands in the breach on behalf of the people (Ezekiel 22:30). Based on this criterion, the author of Isaiah 61:10-62:3 is truly a prophet. He stands in the gap between God and Judah, decreeing a new age of … Continue reading “Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Commentary by Michael J. Chan”

The passage seems to contain multiple voices: a preacher and healer, an administrator, and YHWH. These three speakers play a major role in the Jerusalem renaissance. General Mission 61:1-3b The literary motifs of Isaiah 40-55 appear in the background in our text. The language of spirit endowment connected to the servant (Isaiah 42:1; 48:16) appears … Continue reading “Isaiah 61:1-11 Commentary by Stephen Reid”

Commentary for these texts is forthcoming. PRAYER OF THE DAY Spirit of the Lord God,You bring good news to the oppressed, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, and release the prisoners. You comfort all who mourn, and shower your people with the oil of gladness instead of mourning; a mantle of praise instead of a … Continue reading “Isaiah 61:1-11 Commentary by Working Preacher”

With the Nativity of Our Lord drawing nigh, ponder this pericope in concert with Jesus’ interpretation of his sermon in the synagogue in Nazareth. Textual Horizons — Isaiah 61:1-4 As with the First Sunday of Advent, the Old Testament reading comes from Third Isaiah (chapters 56-66); the historical context for this pericope is the dashed … Continue reading “Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Commentary by Samuel Giere”