Isaiah 61:11
For as the earth brings forth its growth, and as a garden enables seed to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
For as the earth brings forth its sprouts
This phrase draws a vivid picture of the natural process of growth and renewal. The Hebrew word for "earth" is "erets," which often signifies not just the physical ground but the entire created order under God's dominion. The imagery of the earth bringing forth sprouts suggests a divine orchestration in the natural world, symbolizing God's power to bring life and growth. Historically, this reflects the agrarian society of ancient Israel, where the cycles of planting and harvest were central to life and faith. Spiritually, it points to the idea that just as the earth naturally produces growth, so too does God's word and work naturally produce righteousness and praise.

and as a garden causes seeds to spring up
The garden imagery here is rich with biblical symbolism. The Hebrew word for "garden" is "gan," which evokes the Garden of Eden, a place of perfect provision and communion with God. Gardens in the ancient Near East were often seen as places of beauty and sustenance, cultivated spaces where life flourishes. The phrase "causes seeds to spring up" suggests intentionality and care, reflecting God's nurturing role in the spiritual growth of His people. This can be seen as a metaphor for the Kingdom of God, where seeds of faith and righteousness are planted and nurtured to fruition.

so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise
This part of the verse shifts from the natural to the divine, emphasizing God's active role in bringing about spiritual renewal. The name "Lord GOD" in Hebrew is "Adonai Yahweh," underscoring both His sovereign authority and His covenantal faithfulness. "Righteousness" (Hebrew: "tsedeq") refers to right standing with God, a key theme in Isaiah's prophecies. "Praise" (Hebrew: "tehillah") signifies worship and adoration, the natural response to God's redemptive work. Together, these terms highlight the transformative impact of God's intervention in the world, leading to a community characterized by justice and worship.

to spring up before all the nations
This phrase expands the scope of God's work from Israel to the entire world. The Hebrew word for "nations" is "goyim," often used to refer to Gentiles or non-Israelite peoples. This universal vision is a recurring theme in Isaiah, pointing to the inclusivity of God's salvation plan. The idea of righteousness and praise springing up "before all the nations" suggests a public, visible manifestation of God's glory and goodness. It anticipates the New Testament revelation of the Gospel reaching all peoples, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his descendants. This global perspective encourages believers to see their faith as part of a larger divine narrative that encompasses all humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Lord GOD
The sovereign and covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is the source of righteousness and praise.

2. The Earth
Symbolic of creation, which naturally brings forth life and growth, representing God's creative power.

3. Garden
A cultivated space that nurtures growth, symbolizing the nurturing environment God provides for righteousness.

4. Nations
Refers to all peoples of the world, indicating the universal scope of God's plan for righteousness and praise.

5. Isaiah
The prophet through whom God delivers this message, serving as a mouthpiece for divine revelation.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Growth
Just as the earth naturally brings forth sprouts, God sovereignly causes righteousness to flourish. Trust in His timing and methods.

Cultivating Righteousness
Like a garden requires care, our spiritual lives need nurturing through prayer, scripture, and community to produce righteousness.

Universal Scope of God's Plan
God's promise extends to all nations, reminding us of our role in sharing the gospel and living as witnesses to His righteousness.

Praise as a Natural Response
As righteousness springs up, so does praise. Cultivate a heart of gratitude and worship in response to God's work in your life.

Hope in God's Promises
This verse assures us of God's faithfulness to bring about His purposes. Hold onto hope even when growth seems slow or unseen.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of the earth and garden in Isaiah 61:11 enhance your understanding of God's role in spiritual growth?

2. In what ways can you actively cultivate righteousness in your life, similar to tending a garden?

3. How does the promise of righteousness and praise springing up before all nations influence your perspective on global missions and evangelism?

4. Reflect on a time when you witnessed God's faithfulness in causing growth or change in your life. How did it lead to praise?

5. How can the assurance of God's promises in Isaiah 61:11 encourage you during seasons of waiting or uncertainty?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 1:11-12
The creation account where God commands the earth to bring forth vegetation, paralleling the imagery of growth and life in Isaiah 61:11.

Psalm 72:3
A prayer for righteousness to flourish, similar to the promise in Isaiah 61:11 of righteousness springing up.

Matthew 13:31-32
The parable of the mustard seed, illustrating the kingdom of God growing from small beginnings, akin to seeds sprouting in a garden.

2 Corinthians 9:10
Paul speaks of God supplying seed to the sower and increasing the harvest of righteousness, echoing the themes of growth and divine provision.

Revelation 22:2
The vision of the tree of life bearing fruit, symbolizing the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of life and righteousness.
Certainty in Redemption as in NatureProf. J. Skinner, D. D.Isaiah 61:11
God's Word as SeedF. Delitzsch, D. D.Isaiah 61:11
SpringJ. B. Remensnyder, D. D.Isaiah 61:11
SpringIsaiah 61:11
The Reign of RighteousnessCaleb Morris.Isaiah 61:11
The Springing Forth of RighteousnessA. H. Vine.Isaiah 61:11
Spiritual Joy in the EternalE. Johnson Isaiah 61:10, 11
Wise ExultationW. Clarkson Isaiah 61:10, 11
People
Isaiah, Israelites
Places
City of the Lord, Zion
Topics
Brings, Bud, Cause, Causes, Forth, Garden, Grow, Makes, Nations, Praise, Righteousness, Seeds, Sovereign, Sown, Spring, Sprout
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Isaiah 61:11

     4402   plants

Isaiah 61:10-11

     8665   praise, reasons

Library
The Joy-Bringer
'To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.'--ISAIAH lxi. 3. In the little synagogue of Nazareth Jesus began His ministry by laying His hand upon this great prophecy and saying, 'It is Mine! I have fulfilled it.' The prophet had been painting the ideal Messianic Deliverer, with special reference to the return from the Babylonian captivity. That was 'the liberty to the captives, and the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Beauty for Ashes
We will read our text again, and then meditate thereon. "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." Our first consideration will be, who gives this word? Secondly, to whom doth he give it? Thirdly, what saith he in it? And, fourthly, what will come of it? I. First then, WHO GIVES THIS
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Centenary Commemoration
OF THE ELECTION OF BISHOP SEABURY. 1883. THE REV. SAMUEL SEABURY, D.D. WAS ELECTED FIRST BISHOP OF CONNECTICUT AT WOODBURY, MARCH 25, 1783. The one-hundredth anniversary of the election of Bishop Seabury fell on Easter-Day (being also the Festival of the Annunciation), 1883. In accordance with the request of the Diocesan Convention, the Bishop set forth the following special Thanksgiving to be used throughout the Diocese, immediately after the General Thanksgiving at Morning and Evening Prayer on
Various—The Sermons And Addresses At The Seabury Centenary

Thirtieth Lesson. An Holy Priesthood;'
An holy priesthood;' Or, The Ministry of Intercession. An holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.'--I Peter ii. 5. Ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord.'--Isaiah lxi. 6. THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me: because the Lord hath anointed me.' These are the words of Jesus in Isaiah. As the fruit of His work all redeemed ones are priests, fellow-partakers with Him of His anointing with the Spirit as High Priest. Like the precious ointment upon
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

Christianity Requires the Temper of Childhood.
MARK x. 15.--"Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." These words of our Lord are very positive and emphatic, and will, therefore, receive a serious attention from every one who is anxious concerning his future destiny beyond the grave. For, they mention an indispensable requisite in order to an entrance into eternal life. "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."
William G.T. Shedd—Sermons to the Natural Man

Growth in Grace
'But grow in grace.' 2 Pet 3:38. True grace is progressive, of a spreading and growing nature. It is with grace as with light; first, there is the crepusculum, or daybreak; then it shines brighter to the full meridian. A good Christian is like the crocodile. Quamdiu vivet crescit; he has never done growing. The saints are not only compared to stars for their light, but to trees for their growth. Isa 61:1, and Hos 14:4. A good Christian is not like Hezekiah's sun that went backwards, nor Joshua's
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Christ the Deliverer.
"And he [Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And he opened the book, and found the place where it was written, The spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that
Frank G. Allen—Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel

"For they that are after the Flesh do Mind the Things of the Flesh,",
Rom. viii. 5.--"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh,", &c. Though sin hath taken up the principal and inmost cabinet of the heart of man--though it hath fixed its imperial throne in the spirit of man, and makes use of all the powers and faculties in the soul to accomplish its accursed desires and fulfil its boundless lusts, yet it is not without good reason expressed in scripture, ordinarily under the name of "flesh," and a "body of death," and men dead in sins, are
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Of the Words Themselves in General.
We come now to the words themselves, wherein Christ asserts that he is, 1, "the way;" 2, "the truth;" 3, "the life;" and, 4, "that no man cometh to the Father but by him." In them we learn these two things in general. First, The misery of wretched man by nature. This cannot be in a few words expressed. These words will point out those particulars thereof, which we will but mention. 1. That he is born an enemy to, and living at a distance from God, by virtue of the curse of the broken covenant of
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Organically One.
"From whom the whole body, fitly joined together and compacted, maketh increase unto the edifying of itself in love." --Ephes. iv. 16. The newness of holy Love lies in the Church. As we look at the withered state of the Church in almost every period, we almost hesitate to make this statement; yet in principle we maintain it to its fullest extent and power. The Church of Christ on earth is like an "incluse." The "inclusi" were honorable men and women who in the Middle Ages immured themselves in little
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The First Galilean Ministry.
The visit to Nazareth was in many respects decisive. It presented by anticipation an epitome of the history of the Christ. He came to His own, and His own received Him not. The first time He taught in the Synagogue, as the first time He taught in the Temple, they cast Him out. On the one and the other occasion, they questioned His authority, and they asked for a sign.' In both instances, the power which they challenged was, indeed, claimed by Christ, but its display, in the manner which they expected,
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Not Like unto Us.
"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness."--Matt. iv. 1. The representation that Christ's human nature received animating and qualifying influences and impulses directly from His divine nature, altho on the whole incorrect, contains also some truth. We often distinguish between our ego and nature. We say: "I have my nature against me," or "My nature is in my favor"; hence it follows that our person animates and actuates our nature. Applying this to the Person of the Mediator, we must
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

How those are to be Admonished who Desire not the Things of Others, but Keep their Own; and those who Give of their Own, yet Seize
(Admonition 22.) Differently to be admonished are those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own, and those who give of what they have, and yet desist not from seizing on what belongs to others. Those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own are to be admonished to consider carefully that the earth out of which they are taken is common to all men, and therefore brings forth nourishment for all in common. Vainly, then, do those suppose
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Rest for the Weary
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. W hich shall we admire most -- the majesty, or the grace, conspicuous in this invitation? How soon would the greatest earthly monarch be impoverished, and his treasures utterly exhausted, if all, that are poor and miserable, had encouragement to apply freely to him, with a promise of relief, fully answerable to their wants and wishes! But the riches of Christ are unsearchable and inexhaustible. If millions and millions
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Religion Pleasant to the Religious.
"O taste and see how gracious the Lord is; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."--Psalm xxxiv. 8. You see by these words what love Almighty God has towards us, and what claims He has upon our love. He is the Most High, and All-Holy. He inhabiteth eternity: we are but worms compared with Him. He would not be less happy though He had never created us; He would not be less happy though we were all blotted out again from creation. But He is the God of love; He brought us all into existence,
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

"We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. "
1 John ii. 1.--"We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." There is no settlement to the spirit of a sinner that is once touched with the sense of his sins, and apprehension of the justice and wrath of God, but in some clear and distinct understanding of the grounds of consolation in the gospel, and the method of salvation revealed in it. There is no solid peace giving answer to the challenges of the law and thy own conscience, but in the advocation of Jesus Christ, the Saviour
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Jesus visits Nazareth and is Rejected.
^A Matt. XIII. 54-58; ^B Mark VI. 1-6; ^C Luke IV. 16-31. ^b 1 And he went out from thence [from Capernaum] ; and he cometh { ^a And coming} ^b into his own country; and his disciples follow him. ^c 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up [As to this city, see pages 14 and 55. As to the early years of Jesus at Nazareth, see page 60]: ^b 2 And when the sabbath was come ^c he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read. [This does not mean
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Comforts Belonging to Mourners
Having already presented to your view the dark side of the text, I shall now show you the light side, They shall be comforted'. Where observe: 1 Mourning goes before comfort as the lancing of a wound precedes the cure. The Antinomian talks of comfort, but cries down mourning for sin. He is like a foolish patient who, having a pill prescribed him, licks the sugar but throws away the pill. The libertine is all for joy and comfort. He licks the sugar but throws away the bitter pill of repentance. If
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Having spoken of the general notion of blessedness, I come next to consider the subjects of this blessedness, and these our Saviour has deciphered to be the poor in spirit, the mourners, etc. But before I touch upon these, I shall attempt a little preface or paraphrase upon this sermon of the beatitudes. 1 Observe the divinity in this sermon, which goes beyond all philosophy. The philosophers use to say that one contrary expels another; but here one contrary begets another. Poverty is wont to expel
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Consolation
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received at the LORD 's hand double for all her sins. T he particulars of the great "mystery of godliness," as enumerated by the Apostle Paul, constitute the grand and inexhaustible theme of the Gospel ministry, "God manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Making and Breaking Connections.
Many Experiences, but One Law. In mechanics power depends on good connections. A visit to any great machine shop makes that clear. There must be good connections in two directions--inward toward the source of power, and outward for use. The same law holds true in spiritual power as in mechanical. There must be good connections. These nights we have been together a few things have seemed clear. We have seen that from the standpoint of our lives there is need of power, as well as from the standpoint
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power

The Indwelling Spirit Fully and Forever Satisfying.
The Holy Spirit takes up His abode in the one who is born of the Spirit. The Apostle Paul says to the believers in Corinth in 1 Cor. iii. 16, R. V., "Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" This passage refers, not so much to the individual believer, as to the whole body of believers, the Church. The Church as a body is indwelt by the Spirit of God. But in 1 Cor. vi. 19, R. V., we read, "Know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Ghost which is
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit

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