7:09
Isaiah 61
What does a restored world look like? The words of Isaiah 61 describe a new creation filled with abundance and ordered by right relationships. In this video, we reflect on the prophet's vision of a new Eden and how it reaffirms God's promises to the people who never lost hope.
Reflect
Who is the author of Isaiah 61 writing to? How would this poem act as an encouragement to these particular people? What encouragement does the poet offer to the nations?
In Isaiah 61, the Messiah says that he will proclaim “the year of Yahweh’s favor.” This is a reference to an ancient Israelite practice called the Year of Jubilee. What is the Year of Jubilee (see Leviticus 25)? And how does this practice point forward to a renewed creation?
Why is the Jubilee also called “a day of vengeance” in Isaiah 61?
What kind of clothes does the Messiah give to the people? What is the significance of the Messiah giving the people anointing oil in addition to this clothing?
Describe the role that these anointed ones will have in bringing about the restoration of the world.
Read Luke 4:14-21. What do you notice? What is the significance of Jesus launching his public ministry with words from Isaiah 61?
Read Revelation 7:9-10, Revelation 21:1-5, and Revelation 22:1-5. What parallels with Isaiah 61 do you see in these passages about the new creation and the ultimate Jubilee?
Downloads
Here are some other resources related to this video that you might find helpful.
Insights
0:53
Vocab Insight: ’Avad / Serve, Work
Watch a short, animated video that explains the meaning of the Hebrew word for “serve” or “worship” used in key Bible verses.
1:00
Vocab Insight: Zakar / Remember
Watch a short, animated video that explains the meaning of the Hebrew word for “remember” used in key Bible verses.
0:48
Vocab Insight: ’Ot / Sign
Watch a short, animated video that explains the meaning of the Hebrew word for “sign” used in key Bible verses.
1:00
Vocab Insight: Tse’aqah / Outcry
Watch a short, animated video that explains the meaning of the Hebrew words for “outcry” used in key Bible verses.
2:45
Passage Study: What Is Passover?
Watch a short video that explains the Hebrew meaning of the name for Passover and the story behind one of the Bible’s most important festivals.
2:40
Passage Insight: Good Tree vs. Bad Tree
Discover the meaning of the two metaphors Jesus uses to identify false prophets—the wolves in sheep’s clothing and the good tree versus bad tree.
1:27
Passage Insight: Speck in the Eye
Watch a video and learn what Jesus means in Matthew 7:3-5 when he says to take the plank out of your own eye before taking the speck out of another’s.
1:00
Vocab Insight: Basileia / Kingdom
Watch a short animated video that defines the Greek word “basileia” in its biblical context and explains how it relates to God, humanity, and creation.
2:23
Passage Insight: Do Not Worry
Watch a short animated video that explains what Jesus means in Matthew 6:25-34 when he says not to worry, and discover the solution he offers.
1:00
Vocab Insight: Mammon / Wealth
"You are not able to serve both God and mammon." Watch a short video that explains what Jesus meant by the word "mammon" in Matthew 6:24.
1:35
Passage Insight: Purpose of Fasting
Watch a short, animated video that explains the purpose of fasting and some examples of fasting in the Bible.
1:00
Vocab Insight: Teleios / Whole
Watch a short, animated video that explains what the Greek word “teleios” means in Matthew 5:48 and throughout the biblical story.
2:05
Passage Insight: Creative Nonviolence
Watch a short, animated video that explains how Jesus dealt with injustice in the world and examples of how he invites his followers to do the same.
1:00
Vocab Insight: Gehenna / Valley of Wailing
Watch a short, animated video that explains the meaning of the Greek word for hell (gehenna) in the story of the Bible.
1:00
Vocab Insight: Dikaiosune / Righteousness
Watch a short, animated video that explains the meaning of the Greek word for righteousness in the story of the Bible.
1:00
Vocab Insight: Torah / Instruction
What does the Hebrew word “torah” mean in the Bible? Explore the many ways this word is used and how it connects to Jesus.
1:00
Vocab Insight: Dām / Blood
Discover the meaning of the Hebrew word “dām” in the Bible, which refers to blood, life, humanity, and the connection between human life and the ground.
1:00
Character Insight: John the Baptizer
John the Baptist calls for repentance through a water baptism, preparing people for a new way of life and announcing Jesus’ arrival.
1:00
Vocab Insight: Erets / Land
“Erets,” the Hebrew word for land or earth, appears throughout the Bible as the realm that exists between the heavens above and the chaotic waters below.
1:00
Vocab Insight: Tannin / Dragon
Discover the meaning of “tannin” in Hebrew, a leviathan (serpent) who symbolizes death and disorder and is ultimately defeated by God’s power.
1:00
Vocab Insight: Tov / Good
Discover the Hebrew meaning of “tov,” a word used to describe God’s beautiful, thriving harmony among plants, trees, and animals that reflects what is morally good in the world.
1:00
Vocab Insight: Ets / Tree
Discover the Hebrew meaning of “ets,” a term used to describe large trees, firewood, bushes, or vines in the Bible, including the tree of life.
1:00
Character Insight: Elijah
Learn about Elijah, whose name means “my God is Yahweh,” and see how God empowers him to revive a widow’s son and guide Israel back to Yahweh.
1:00
Vocab Insight: Shamayim / Skies
Discover the meaning of “shamayim,” the Hebrew term for heavens. In the biblical imagination, this is the realm above Earth where God’s throne exists.
1:00
Bible Basics: Choosing a Translation
There are so many translations of the Bible, but which one is best? Check out our latest Bible Basics video to understand how to approach choosing a translation.
1:00
Bible Basics: History of Bible Translations
Have you ever wondered about the earliest translations of the Bible? Get a quick introduction to the history of biblical translations with our latest Bible Basics video.
1:00
Bible Basics: Jesus of Nazareth
Who was Jesus and what was his message of God’s Kingdom really about? In this Bible Basics video, we take a quick look at the person of Jesus.
5:35
Mark
Mark’s gospel account shows Jesus as an unexpected Messiah who came not as a political ruler but as a servant. Religious leaders, crowds, and even his disciples questioned Jesus’ authority as Jesus focused on establishing God’s Kingdom on earth.
