"You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast..." (Isaiah 61:6)
In order to understand Isaiah 61 and especially this part of the text we must go back to God’s original intention and plan for humanity found in Genesis 1. God created man and He said to man “be fruitful and multiply, increase and subdue and have dominion over all the earth”. But by the time we get to Genesis 3, we find that man lost that ability, abandoned it because of disobedience and self-will.
Now, when you understand the context of Isaiah 61, especially because it was quoted again by Jesus in Luke chapter 4, we find that it is God’s intention to restore that which was His original plan. But for some reason throughout history the children of Israel had missed that entire plan of God. And these days we find many of God’s children missing that plan too.
So here when God says we will be identified as priests and ministers and He will give us the wealth of the nations, He is basically restoring that which we were originally made for. The entire biblical narrative is a restorative process. When you read this entire chapter and this particular verse, God’s original intention was basically for us to be the sons of God. To rule, reign, subdue and have dominion.
Isaiah 61:6 is really fulfillment of Genesis 1 - which is: everything on this earth rightly belongs to the sons of God and now we can lay claim to that which is rightfully ours, based on the fact that God’s original plan will be fulfilled by His Presence resting on His children.
God does not deliver and forgive for no purpose; God saves in order that the redeemed might serve and extend His Kingdom. What Israel had, she lost by sin; but it would be restored to a generation that would bear overwhelming fruit.
You see, you and I are living in that dispensation - we are to make use of every new invention - every technological resource, all social media platforms, advancement in travel; which this world has to offer for the honour and glory of God. In this light I declare that you shall boast on the world’s achievements - using what they have created and established for God’s purposes.
So, what are the resources available to you today that you could use to help establish God’s Kingdom, where He has placed you?
We invite you to join us as we journey slowly and prayerfully through Isaiah 61 - line by line over forty days.
