Isaiah 61:4
They will rebuild the ancient ruins; they will restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.
They will rebuild
The phrase "They will rebuild" speaks to a future action of restoration and renewal. The Hebrew root word here is "בָּנָה" (banah), which means to build or rebuild. This implies not just physical reconstruction but also spiritual and communal restoration. Historically, this points to the return of the Israelites from Babylonian exile, a time when they were tasked with rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple. Spiritually, it signifies the work of God’s people in restoring what has been broken, both in their lives and in the world around them, through the power and guidance of God.

the ancient ruins
The term "the ancient ruins" refers to the desolate places that have been long abandoned. The Hebrew word "חָרְבָּה" (chorbah) is used, which denotes a place that has been laid waste. This can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual desolation that sin brings into the world. Archaeologically, this would have resonated with the Israelites who saw the physical ruins of their once-glorious city. In a broader sense, it speaks to the restoration of the original purposes and plans God has for His creation, which have been marred by sin.

They will restore
"They will restore" indicates a process of bringing back to a former condition. The Hebrew word "קוּם" (qum) means to rise or establish. This suggests not only a physical rebuilding but also a re-establishment of God’s covenant and promises. It is a call to action for God’s people to participate in His redemptive work, emphasizing that restoration is both a divine initiative and a human responsibility.

the places long devastated
This phrase highlights areas that have suffered prolonged destruction. The Hebrew "שָׁמֵם" (shamem) conveys a sense of being desolate or astonished by the extent of devastation. Historically, this would have been a vivid image for the Israelites, who experienced the destruction of their homeland. Spiritually, it speaks to the deep healing and renewal that God offers to those areas of life that have been ravaged by sin and despair.

They will renew
"They will renew" suggests a refreshing or making new again. The Hebrew "חָדַשׁ" (chadash) means to renew or repair. This is a promise of transformation, where what was once old and worn out is made new. It reflects the ongoing work of God in the lives of believers, continually renewing them through His Spirit and Word.

the ruined cities
The "ruined cities" symbolize places of former glory that have fallen into decay. The Hebrew "עִיר" (ir) refers to a city, and in this context, it represents the collective life and culture of a people. This phrase underscores the comprehensive nature of God’s restoration, which extends to entire communities and societies, not just individuals.

the desolations of many generations
This final phrase speaks to the long-term impact of sin and destruction. The Hebrew "דּוֹר" (dor) means generation, indicating that the devastation has been ongoing for many lifetimes. It highlights the enduring consequences of turning away from God, but also the hope that His restoration is powerful enough to reverse even the most entrenched desolation. This is a promise that God’s redemptive work transcends time, offering hope and renewal to all generations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The primary audience of Isaiah's prophecy, who were in exile and longing for restoration.

2. Ancient Ruins
Symbolic of the physical and spiritual desolation experienced by Israel due to their disobedience and exile.

3. Ruined Cities
Represents the once-thriving communities of Israel that had been destroyed by foreign powers.

4. Desolations of Many Generations
Refers to the long-lasting impact of sin and judgment on the people and land of Israel.

5. The Messiah
Implicit in the broader context of Isaiah 61, as the one who brings about the ultimate restoration and renewal.
Teaching Points
Restoration through Christ
Jesus is the ultimate restorer, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 61 through His life, death, and resurrection.

Spiritual Renewal
Just as the physical cities were to be rebuilt, believers are called to experience spiritual renewal and restoration in Christ.

Hope for the Future
The promise of rebuilding and renewal offers hope for believers facing personal or communal desolation.

Active Participation
Believers are invited to participate in God's work of restoration, both in their own lives and in their communities.

Generational Impact
The restoration of "desolations of many generations" reminds us of the long-term impact of faithfulness and obedience.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the promise of rebuilding ancient ruins in Isaiah 61:4 encourage you in your personal walk with God?

2. In what ways can you participate in God's work of restoration in your community today?

3. How does the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:4 in the New Testament through Jesus' ministry impact your understanding of His mission?

4. What areas of your life or community feel like "ruined cities" that need God's restoration?

5. How can the hope of future restoration and renewal influence your daily decisions and actions as a believer?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Nehemiah 2-6
The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah's leadership is a historical fulfillment of the promise to rebuild ruins.

Amos 9:11-15
Amos speaks of the restoration of Israel, echoing the themes of rebuilding and renewal.

Revelation 21:1-5
The ultimate renewal of all things in the new heaven and new earth, where God makes everything new.

Ezekiel 36:33-36
God's promise to restore the land and cities of Israel, making them like the Garden of Eden.

Luke 4:18-21
Jesus reads from Isaiah 61 in the synagogue, declaring the fulfillment of this prophecy in His ministry.
Antiquities RevivedJ. Irons.Isaiah 61:4
Building the Old WastesA. W. Thorold, D. D.Isaiah 61:4
RestorationW.M. Statham Isaiah 61:4
Social Needs: Religious DutiesH. M. Butler, D. D.Isaiah 61:4
A Broken HeartR. Macculloch.Isaiah 61:1-8
A Faithful Gospel MinistryR. M. McCheyne.Isaiah 61:1-8
A Trite MinistryJ. Parker, D. D.Isaiah 61:1-8
Causes of Sinners' ImprisonmentT. Boston.Isaiah 61:1-8
Jesus a Preacher of Good Tidings to the MeekT. Boston.Isaiah 61:1-8
Jesus and the Broken-HeartedJ. Vaughan, M. A.Isaiah 61:1-8
Jesus and the MeekT. Boston.Isaiah 61:1-8
Jesus Binds Up the Broken-HeartedT. Boston.Isaiah 61:1-8
Jesus Proclaims Liberty to the CaptivesT. Boston.Isaiah 61:1-8
Jesus the LiberatorJ. Vaughan, M. A.Isaiah 61:1-8
Liberty for Satan's CaptivesR. Macculloch.Isaiah 61:1-8
Liberty to the CaptiveEssex Congregational RemembrancerIsaiah 61:1-8
Satan's BandsT. Boston.Isaiah 61:1-8
Sinners Worse than CaptivesT. Boston.Isaiah 61:1-8
The Gospel ProclamationR. Macculloch.Isaiah 61:1-8
The Sinner's CaptivityR. Macculloch.Isaiah 61:1-8
The Speaker: Probably the Prophet HimselfProf. G. A. Smith, D. D., Prof. G. A. Smith, D. D.Isaiah 61:1-8
The Speaker; Probably the Servant of JonahF. Delitzch, D. D.Isaiah 61:1-8
The Spirit a Compensation for the Self-Emptying of JesusT. G. Selby.Isaiah 61:1-8
The Spirit in the Son of ManT. G. Selby.Isaiah 61:1-8
Message of Grace to ZionE. Johnson Isaiah 61:1-9
People
Isaiah, Israelites
Places
City of the Lord, Zion
Topics
Ancient, Ancients, Broken, Build, Building, Built, Cities, Desolate, Desolations, Devastated, Devastations, Former, Generation, Generations, Places, Raise, Rebuild, Renew, Renewed, Repair, Restore, Ruined, Ruins, Towns, Walls, Waste, Wastes
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Isaiah 61:4

     4909   beginning
     5508   ruins
     5694   generation

Isaiah 61:1-4

     5857   fame
     6703   peace, divine OT

Isaiah 61:3-4

     5492   restitution

Isaiah 61:4-6

     7145   remnant
     7212   exile

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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