Isaiah 61:4-7 – Are we Kingdom builders?

Isaiah 61:3 tells us that the people saved and blessed by the Redeemer will be jubilant, praising, and stable people. In place of mourning, they will be clothed with gladness. They will be known as oaks of righteousness and planting of the Lord. Zion will be a transformed place. They will then in turn be used to “rebuild of the ancient ruins.” Why is there a need to restore the ancient ruins? In this context, we know that Judah was disciplined by the Lord because of their disobedience. Her cities were destroyed and devastated, and many of her talented youths were brought into captivity to Babylon. Having been blessed and restored to the relationship, the Lord would use the returnees to rebuild their devastated cities.

Since Zion is a symbol of the church, we surmise that the reference here is to the church being used to rebuild and re-establish righteousness in a world ravaged by sin. The church is God’s instrument in this regard. For many generations, sin has a free reign and left many lives devoid of the purpose of God. Now through the church, God has raised a people whom He will use to restore lives devastated by sin. Strangers and foreigners in the context of the passage will be the Gentiles. Bear in mind that as far as the Bible is concerned, there are only two races in the world. If one is not a Jew, then that person is a Gentile. The church of Jesus Christ will be made up of not just Jews but also Gentiles of all nations. Many of these strangers and foreigners will be used by God in the church to take care of the vineyard and the flock of God. In the New Testament, “vineyard” and “flock” have been used as symbols of the church.   

In verse 6 we see that the members of Zion will make up the priesthood. They will stand in the gap between God and a lost world. As God’s ministers to a lost world, they will also be blessed. People blessed by the ministry of the church will bring in the needful support. In place of humiliation, there will be joy for all the rich blessings they will receive. They will enjoy a double portion of blessings, and everlasting joy will be the experience of people in this new community.  

Know it or not all of us Christians have been enlisted as priests in God’s Kingdom. This is affirmed by 1 Peter 2:9 which says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light….” As God’s chosen royal priests, we all have the mandate to fulfil. As committed ministers, we must proclaim the goodness of God in our world and show forth His marvelous light. Be a Kingdom builder!