Isa 61:8 | KingComments | STEP | These verses predict the future restoration of Israel and its exaltation to a place of dignity, honor and authority over the nations. Places that are deserted and desolate will be fertile and densely populated ( ). Already now the remains of cities are being excavated, but then they will be completely rebuilt. Those who have oppressed them will serve them and work as shepherds of their flocks and farmers ( ). They will gladly do so because they want to share in the blessing of this people (cf. ). That blessing comes from God. The people will see by the blessing that God is with His people ( ; ). It is to be hoped that people will be equally attracted by our revelation of the blessing God has given us. Every revelation in the realm of peace has for us its counterpart in the spiritual realization of what our spiritual blessings are. It is also meant to show that God is with us, that the attention is focused on Him. That will attract people to belong to that God. Israel itself will be what God purposed from the beginning for His people, that they should be a priestly people, a kingdom of priests ( ; ). Just as the descendants of Aaron performed priestly service for all the people of Israel, so in the future all the people of Israel will perform priestly service for the nations. We are already in that position, but it is God’s desire that we also practice it. All the nations that have always used their wealth for self-enrichment will bring this wealth to Israel. Israel will enjoy it. Just as the priests used to live from all that the people of Israel brought them, tithes and sacrifices, so Israel as a whole will live from all that the nations will bring them. Everything that the Gentiles have boasted of and appropriated from the earth will pass to Israel under the blessing and powerful ministry of Christ. This subject is described by Paul in Romans 11 ( ). If the fall and current loss of Israel means the riches of the nations through the gospel of grace, much greater will be the result of their fullness, that is, Israel's full national prosperity and welfare. As a servant of God, the people of Israel will perform as it were Levite service for the nations ( ), so that the nations will receive education regarding the ways and thoughts of the LORD. They will gain a double possession in the land that will extend far beyond the original boundaries ( ). It will go with them, just as it went with Job who received double after a time of calamity ( ). Whereas before they have been in confusion, objects of reproach and contempt, they will now be filled with an exceptional and infinite joy. There will be double compensation for all their past suffering, just as they have received double for all their sins ( ). In the LORD makes it clear that in all blessings God’s own features will be maintained. He declares that He loves justice and that He hates wrongful robbery. By this He refers to the cruel treatment Israel has received from their opponents. In direct contrast to this He “will faithfully give them their recompense”. He will make sure that their work will be pleasing to Him and will be done in faithfulness. For the faithfulness with which they have served the LORD, they will be rewarded by Him ( ). He will make an everlasting covenant with them with the result that the nations will recognize them as a people blessed by the LORD ( ). Their offspring will be glorious among all nations – a complete change from the present situation.

‏ Isaiah 61:8

Restoration of Israel

These verses predict the future restoration of Israel and its exaltation to a place of dignity, honor and authority over the nations. Places that are deserted and desolate will be fertile and densely populated (Isa 61:4). Already now the remains of cities are being excavated, but then they will be completely rebuilt. Those who have oppressed them will serve them and work as shepherds of their flocks and farmers (Isa 61:5). They will gladly do so because they want to share in the blessing of this people (cf. Isa 14:1-2). That blessing comes from God. The people will see by the blessing that God is with His people (Isa 60:10; Zec 6:15).

It is to be hoped that people will be equally attracted by our revelation of the blessing God has given us. Every revelation in the realm of peace has for us its counterpart in the spiritual realization of what our spiritual blessings are. It is also meant to show that God is with us, that the attention is focused on Him. That will attract people to belong to that God.

Israel itself will be what God purposed from the beginning for His people, that they should be a priestly people, a kingdom of priests (Isa 61:6; Exo 19:6a). Just as the descendants of Aaron performed priestly service for all the people of Israel, so in the future all the people of Israel will perform priestly service for the nations. We are already in that position, but it is God’s desire that we also practice it.

All the nations that have always used their wealth for self-enrichment will bring this wealth to Israel. Israel will enjoy it. Just as the priests used to live from all that the people of Israel brought them, tithes and sacrifices, so Israel as a whole will live from all that the nations will bring them. Everything that the Gentiles have boasted of and appropriated from the earth will pass to Israel under the blessing and powerful ministry of Christ.

This subject is described by Paul in Romans 11 (Rom 11:13-32). If the fall and current loss of Israel means the riches of the nations through the gospel of grace, much greater will be the result of their fullness, that is, Israel's full national prosperity and welfare. As a servant of God, the people of Israel will perform as it were Levite service for the nations (Isa 2:3), so that the nations will receive education regarding the ways and thoughts of the LORD.

They will gain a double possession in the land that will extend far beyond the original boundaries (Isa 61:7). It will go with them, just as it went with Job who received double after a time of calamity (Job 42:10-12). Whereas before they have been in confusion, objects of reproach and contempt, they will now be filled with an exceptional and infinite joy. There will be double compensation for all their past suffering, just as they have received double for all their sins (Isa 40:2).

In Isa 61:8 the LORD makes it clear that in all blessings God’s own features will be maintained. He declares that He loves justice and that He hates wrongful robbery. By this He refers to the cruel treatment Israel has received from their opponents. In direct contrast to this He “will faithfully give them their recompense”. He will make sure that their work will be pleasing to Him and will be done in faithfulness. For the faithfulness with which they have served the LORD, they will be rewarded by Him (Mt 10:40-42).

He will make an everlasting covenant with them with the result that the nations will recognize them as a people blessed by the LORD (Isa 61:9). Their offspring will be glorious among all nations – a complete change from the present situation.