Isaiah 61:4 – They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
This is a promise found in the last part of Isaiah the prophet. But who is “They?” The prophecy mentioned, “They” will rebuild the ancient ruins. But is there any indication about who “They” is? Well I’m glad you asked. If you look in the first part of the chapter it begins with a section Jesus also quoted in Luke 4. It goes like this:
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness 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. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.”
The “They” is clear. “They” are the poor, the broken hearted, the captives who have been set free, those prisoners who have been released from darkness those who mourn and are grieving or in despair. For me this is extremely exciting as we begin our work in the heart of Detroit. This is exciting because it means that we have a scripture breathed vision from the Lord about how to help with the restoration of the city. Part of our victory is hidden in the ones who are now groaning in the city. Isn’t that just like God? Isn’t it like him to hide the restoration of a city in the ones whom everyone tries to overlook? But if we’re reading Isaiah 61 correctly that’s exactly what has been done.
I for one like the challenge. It means that no matter how wonderful we think our programs are, if they are not focused on the poor, the captive, the broken hearted, the prisoners of Detroit then our success won’t be as whole as it could be because part of the deliverance for the city is hidden in them. They are the ones who will rebuild the ruins and renew the devastation in Detroit. Our job is to love them back into wholeness like Jesus did and then empower them to restore.
Selah.
Hesed Community Church 
1Sam. 2:1 Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. 2 “There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 3 “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. 4 “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. 5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry hunger no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away. 6 “The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. 7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. 8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. “For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s; upon them he has set the world. 9 He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. “It is not by strength that one prevails; 10 those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
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