Isaiah 61:3 “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.”
“Beauty for Ashes”
I’ve heard this phrase used and have
read this passage many times. Just
recently, when I read it, it hit me that this is a perfect description for a
person to try to visualize God’s grace.
When we accept His free gift of salvation, this is what He does. He gives us His “beauty” in eternal life, for
our “ashes” in eternal death. A home in
Heaven, for an eternity in Hell. Peace
and assurance, for doubt and uncertainty.
I love the way that John Gill put
it:
“In the Hebrew text there is a beautiful play on
words, which cannot be so well expressed in our language, ‘to give peer for
epher’; in times of mourning, it was usual to put on sackcloth and ashes,
instead of this, Christ gives his mourners the beautiful garments of salvation,
and the robe of his righteousness, and the graces of his Spirit, and his
gracious presence, together with his word and ordinances, and sometimes a large
number of converts; all which, as they are ornamental to his people, they yield
them joy, peace, and comfort: and this is a beauty that is not natural to them,
but is of grace; not acquired, but given; not fictitious, but real; is perfect
and complete, lasting and durable, and desired by Christ himself, who gives
it.”
The Grace of God is the most wonderful thing that a person can
experience here on earth.
It is immeasurable, it is undeserved, it is beauty for ashes.
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