134 Messianic Israel

The imagery here is changing from the state of sorrow to the wordship of God by bringing Him close to them in love and faithfulness to His Word when they finally realize that Jesus is their Messiah. The tefillin are used of joy instead of mourning. Often times people smeared oil on themselves as a luxurious practice. The perfumed ointment was poured on guests at joyous feasts (Amos 6:6) instead of mourning. A mourner may not smear himself with oil. Their spirit will become clothed with a cloak of praise. Because of the persecution they encountered with other nations abusing them for thousands of years, Israel will become a mighty nation, and they will not abuse that power, rather they will continue to act toward others in righteousness. Their acts of righteousness will sprout and spread out, as a mighty tree sends out its branches which has bestowed the Messiah's mighty name upon them.

It will be a ministry of comfort for all that mourn (Isaiah 57:18 5; Jeremiah 31-13; Zechariah 12:10—13:1), focusing first upon the saved and delivered godly remnant of Israel, who are those who mourn in Zion. This comfort will also be given to godly Gentiles, who will turn to the Lord during the Tribulation and await His deliverance from the Antichrist and his followers (Revelation 13:1-1). The imagery includes colorful clothes worn by the joyful, instead of clothing made from material such as sackcloth, signifying despondency (John 16:20