Isaiah 61:2
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
ISAIAH 61:2
This verse continues the author’s complex vision: “To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God.” The “acceptable year of the LORD” (the Year of Jubilee motif) signals release from oppression, liberty, and restoration—special grace extended during God’s gracious era. Yet juxtaposed with “the day of vengeance” reveals a dual emphasis: God’s mercy toward the afflicted, and his justice against oppressors. The timing motif—this is “today” but also “the day”— invites urgent yet patient response. The prophet’s audience would recognize the need for restorative justice, not merely personal piety. The broader biblical arc moves from exile, through mercy, toward a comprehensive redemption that includes judgment against evil. This verse sits at the hinge of mercy and justice, mercy for the broken and accountability for wrongdoing.
God’s mercy and justice are inseparably braided. The “acceptable year” foregrounds grace proclaimed to the humble, while “the day of vengeance” warns that God will set the wrongs of history right. The verse anticipates the fullness of God’s kingdom—where liberation and judgment converge in the person and work of the Messiah. It also challenges believers to pursue mercy with courage, acknowledging that transformation involves both comfort for mourners and accountability for injustice. The theological center is a God who acts decisively to restore and vindicate.
Practically, celebrate mercy in daily life: forgive debts, help the imprisoned or the oppressed in whatever form, support restorative justice initiatives, and stand with marginalized communities. Acknowledge that injustice has consequences and advocate for policies and practices that bring equity. At church or in small groups, create spaces for lament and hope—grieving losses while trusting in God’s eventual restoration. The dual focus encourages faithful living that both comforts and confronts.
Cross-References: Isaiah 35:4; Luke 4:18-19; Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30; Psalm 103:17-18.