NOTES for Isa 61:8

Is God just? Yes, and more than that, He loves justice, realized righteousness. Is God severe in His justice? Yes, surely, because He hates sin, or as here, robbery with violence. But is He cruel? And what do we call cruelty? Usually, the realization of one’s will by any means, without regard for the opinion, feelings, or will of other people; that means violence toward other people. But God hates violence. Therefore His justice is not cruel; He achieves justice by other means. Through the prophet Isaiah, God explains exactly how: by giving a deserved reward and by making an agreement with people, for a covenant is an agreement. Nonviolent methods, from God’s point of view, are the most effective. Are we capable of learning this from the One who is meek and humble in heart?