Isaiah 61:8 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

For I the Lord love judgment, &c.— For I the Lord love justice: I hate stolen things in an offering; and I will give them their reward faithfully, and I will make with them, &c. The reader is still to bear in mind, that the prophet, in speaking of these evangelical times and things, makes use of ideas and expressions taken from the old law. Burnt-offering is here used for the whole ritual worship of God. The phrase, Stolen things for burnt-offering, is not to be understood as if the Jews really offered things stolen in sacrifice; but that they were guilty of injustice, iniquity, rapine, and other vices, while they presented their sacrifices before the Lord. See Proverbs 15:8. The meaning of the verse is, "It is not to be wondered that God should be so benevolent and gracious as mentioned in the preceding verses, toward his people delivered and sanctified, who should bear his Gospel to the nations, and possess them. For, as the worship of God was celebrated by the greater part of his people so called, in much hypocrisy, amidst manifest breaches of his law, and on this account was hated by him, and therefore the worshippers of God attained not to the benefits which accompany the sincere service of religion; at this time having obtained a faithful people, worshipping him in spirit and in truth;—God was both willing, and might, with strict justice, liberally confer his grace and indulgence upon these his faithful worshippers, and give them the hope of their fathers; and that by a covenant founded in the blood of his Son, which should remain to the end of ages, and whose effects should extend even to eternity." See Vitringa.