He has a plan for you and me…
There’s a passage that’s been on my mind for a few years now and recently it’s come back to mind and since then, I’ve learned so much about practically studying the word and honestly just spending more time with God has brought me so much more clarity. So below you’ll find the result of a study I did on a passage that has quickly became one of my fave passages of the bible. I do encourage you to first read Isaiah 61 in it’s entirety for yourself and to ask God what message he has for you regarding his word. Let me know what you think when you’re all done!
This exegetical study primarily focuses on Isaiah 61:1–11. The overall theme of Isaiah is God’s overarching redemptive plan for the world. I chose this passage because, about two years ago, I came across Isaiah 61:3, which says:
“...and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor” (NIV).
At the time, I felt a strong urge to make this verse the theme for a women’s wellness event. However, I couldn't fully grasp why it resonated so deeply. After much research, prayer, and stillness, I believe I now understand.
Isaiah was a prophet about whom we don’t know a great deal, aside from the fact that he was the son of Amoz and prophesied during the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah—beginning around 740 B.C. The first third of the book of Isaiah was written by the prophet himself, while many scholars believe the remaining sections were visions he left behind for his disciples to continue documenting. During the latter half of Israel’s kingdom period, Isaiah warned the leaders that the Assyrian Empire—and later Babylon—would conquer them because of their rebellion against God.
Although Isaiah is a prophetic book, it includes a range of literary styles. I believe Isaiah 61, in particular, reads like poetry—beautifully depicting a restored people and a renewed world. While the book of Isaiah can be broken into many sections, two main themes emerge: Israel’s rebellion and God’s consistent message of hope. The first 12 chapters focus on judgment, but even there we see a glimmer of hope. This pattern—judgment and hope—continues throughout the book. Isaiah 61 speaks not just of hope, but of a transformed creation.
Interestingly, in Luke 4:14–20, Jesus returns to Nazareth, enters the synagogue, and reads from Isaiah’s scroll. He recites Isaiah 61:1–2:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Jesus ends the reading by saying, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” This is such a powerful moment. It shows us that God’s redemptive plan began long before Jesus walked the earth. Isaiah 61 is a vision of the world to come: the bound are freed, the poor hear good news, joy replaces mourning, shame is exchanged for a double portion, and so much more. Jesus is the servant introduced in this chapter—the Messiah who would arrive generations later to fulfill this prophecy.
But I wonder: Did the people of Israel understand the full depth of Isaiah’s revelation? Did they know that in the midst of their destruction and disobedience, they had a Father who still loved them—who still had a beautiful plan not only for them but for the entire world?
What is God saying to me today
God is a restorer. He can and will restore you. There are a few key things God is doing in my life—and maybe in yours too—that reflect this passage.
At the beginning of Isaiah 61, the prophet says the Lord has anointed us. This anointing means we are set apart and given a purpose. That alone proves to me that God has a plan for each of us.
After anointing us, He begins to work within us. He liberates, heals, frees, comforts, and reminds us of His good news. Verse 3 tells us, “...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” He dresses us in righteousness and adorns us with beauty. The Lord takes His time to cleanse, refine, and prepare us—so that we no longer look like what we’ve been through.
The verse continues by saying He names us: “They will be called oaks of righteousness.” We are strong and deeply rooted in Him. As the planting of the Lord, we are His workmanship.
Now that He has anointed, healed, and named us, He is calling us to walk in purpose. Like Jesus, we are called to be servants—rebuilders, restorers, and renewers of what is broken in the world around us. Through this work, we will experience abundance and blessing.
This passage has brought me so much personal clarity, healing, and purpose. From its vivid descriptions—reminiscent of a new Garden of Eden—to its promise of everlasting hope and salvation through Jesus Christ, Isaiah 61 has reassured me of my calling. I feel truly blessed to have studied this chapter.