Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 61:9
And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they [are] the seed [which] the LORD hath blessed.
9. In virtue of this everlasting covenant the blessing of Jehovah descends on their offspring (cf. ch. Isa 65:23), compelling the admiration of the world.
For Gentiles people render with R.V., nations peoples.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And their seed – The figure here is taken from the feelings of a parent who desires his children to be esteemed, and who regards it as an honor that they become so distinguished that their fame extends to distant lands.
Shall be known – Shall be distinguished or honored. For this use of the word known, see Psa 67:2; Psa 76:1; Psa 79:10.
And their offspring – (See the notes at Isa 48:19). The Chaldee and the Syriac render this, Their childrens children. The sense is, that the true friends of the church shall be everywhere honored. Distant lands shall be acquainted with them, and shall be disposed to show them distinguished respect.
Among the people – The people of distant lands.
All that see them shall acknowledge them – The time shall come when the true friends of the Redeemer will be universally honored. They shall be regarded as the favored of the Lord; and instead of being persecuted and despised, the nations of the earth will regard them as worthy of their confidence and esteem.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Isa 61:9
And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles
A blessed seed
The children of these persons themselves, that are now the blessed of the Lord, or their successors in profession, the Churchs seed, shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation (Psa 22:30).
1. They shall signalize themselves, and make their neighbours to take notice of them. They shall distinguish themselves by the gravity, seriousness, humility, and cheerfulness of their conversation, especially by that brotherly love by which all men shall know them to be Christs disciples; and they thus distinguishing themselves, God shall dignify them by making then the blessings of their age, and instruments of His glory; and by giving to remarkable tokens of His favour, which shall make them eminent, and go them respect from all about them.
2. God shall have the glory of this, for eve:. one shall attribute it to the blessing of God. (M. Henry.)
The life-testimony of the Christian missionary
The glorious fulfilment of this promise in its original and proper sense may be seen already in the influence exerted by the eloquent example of the missionary on the most ignorant and corrupted heathen, without waiting for the future restoration of the Jews to the land of their fathers. (J. A. Alexander.)
The seed which the Lord hath blessed
The blessed seed
I. THERE IS A SEED OR RACE WHICH THE LORD HATH BLESSED. Elsewhere it is described as the Israel of God (Gal 6:16). But it is neither co-extensive with, nor confined to, the descendants of Jacob (Rom 9:6 – Gal 3:28; Gal 4:28; Eph 3:6; Php 3:3). This seed God hath blessed abundantly.
1. With peace.
2. With purity.
3. With strength.
4. With hope.
5. With joy.
6. With that which is the source of the peace and hope and joy–an assurance of HIS love.
II. THERE ARE OUTWARD SIGNS BY WHICH THOSE WHO BELONG TO THE SEED WHICH THE LORD HATH BLESSED MAY BE INFALLIBLY KNOWN. God has distinguished HIS ancient people by certain physical characteristics which have survived through many generations and have proved indestructible by all changes of climate and condition, so that wherever any of them are found we may say with confidence, these are the children of Abraham. And there are certain marks by which all who belong to Gods spiritual Israel are as clearly marked off from their fellow-men. Such as–
1. Love for Christ.
2. Unworldiness.
3. Consistency. (J. Harris, M. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 9. Their seed shall be known among the Gentiles] Both Jews and Gentiles are to make but one fold under one shepherd, Christ Jesus. But still, notwithstanding this, they may retain their peculiarity and national distinction; so that though they are known to be Christians, yet they shall appear to be converted Jews. After their conversion to Christianity this will necessarily be the case for a long time. Strange nations are not so speedily amalgamated, as to lose their peculiar cast of features, and other national distinctions.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Their seed shall be known among the Gentiles i.e. eminently; a promise of the increase of the church; such shall be their prosperity and multiplying, that they shall be known abroad by their great increase. Or else the meaning is, The church shall have a seed of the Gentiles, the borders of the church shall be enlarged; whereas it hath been confined as it were to one corner of the world, now it shall remain in one nation alone no more, but shall fill all the nations of the earth.
They are the seed which the Lord hath blessed; they shall be known to be the seed of Abraham, partly by their holy conversation, and partly by their exceeding blessings, it being the seed that the Lord had so often promised to bless. There shall be such visible characters of Gods love to them, and of Gods grace in them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9. knownhonorably; shall beillustrious (Ps 67:2).
peoplerather,”peoples.”
seed . . . blessed(Isa 65:23).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people,…. Not only the Jews will be converted as a body in the latter day, but there will be a succession of converts among them in later ages, and will be known among Christian Gentiles by their faith and love, and good works and holy conversation; and will be taken notice of and acknowledged by them as brethren, and will be famous among them for religion and godliness:
all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed; that they are the spiritual seed of Abraham, as well as his carnal seed, and are blessed with him; blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ, with faith in him, and with every other grace.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
9. And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles. Here the Prophet treats more clearly of the extension of the Church, which at that time might be said to be confined within a narrow corner of the earth, and afterwards, as we have already seen, was exceedingly diminished and impaired. (Isa 1:9.) Isaiah therefore discourses concerning the Church, which, after having suffered so great a diminution, would be spread throughout the whole world, so as to be visible to all the nations. And yet this did not happen even in the reign of Solomon, when the Jews flourished most in wealth and splendor. (1Kg 10:21.) Now this appeared to be altogether incredible; and that is the reason why the prophets take such pains to convince men of it, and repeat it very frequently, that the Jews may not measure this restoration by their own understanding or by the present appearance of things.
A question now arises, When did these things happen? I reply (as I have often done before) that they began when the people returned to their native country; for at that time, and in uninterrupted succession, they experienced the manifold kindness of God towards them. But as nothing more than feeble sparks appeared, the full brightness shone forth in Christ, in whose reign those things are entirely accomplished; for where there was the utmost barrenness of godliness, the offspring of Abraham sprouted, because foreigners were ingrafted by faith into the elect people. Thus foreign and barbarous nations acknowledged that the Jews were the blessed seed of God, (Gen 22:18,) when they united with them in the same confession of faith; nor was this fulfilled but once only, but is in course of being fulfilled every day.
As to the Jews going before, and holding the first rank in God’s covenant, this ought to be ascribed to the mercy of God, and not to their own excellence, as Paul (Rom 3:2) teaches; for, after having shown that by nature they differ nothing at all from the Gentiles, and after having subjected them to the same condemnation, he likewise teaches that they hold this privilege of pre-eminence, because they were the very first that received the word of God and the promises. But this proceeded from God’s undeserved kindness, and not from their merits or excellence.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
THE BLESSED SEED
Isa. 61:9. All that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed.
I. There is a seed or race, which the Lord hath blessed. Elsewhere it is described as the Israel of God (Gal. 6:16). But it is neither co-extensive with nor confined to the descendants of Jacob (Rom. 9:6-8; Gal. 4:28; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 3:6; Php. 3:3).
1. This seed God hath blessed abundantlywith peace. Peace with God (Rom. 5:1). Peace of conscience (Heb. 10:2; Heb. 10:22). Peace from the assaults of their enemies (Luk. 1:74). Peace amid the cares of life (Php. 4:6-7). Thus there is a glorious fulfilment of the promise (Psa. 29:11).
2. With purity (1Jn. 1:7-9; 1Th. 5:23).
3. With strength (Joh. 1:12; Col. 1:11).
4. With hope (Rom. 15:13; 1Pe. 1:3).
5. With joy (1Pe. 1:8; Rom. 5:11).
6. With that which is the source and fountain of the peace, and hope, and joyan assurance of His love (Rom. 5:5; Rom. 8:16). Are these blessings yours? Are you numbered among the Israel of God?
II. The blessings which God confers upon His people are chiefly in ward, but our text teaches us also, that there are outward signs by which those who belong to the seed which the Lord hath blessed may be infallibly known. All that see them shall acknowledge, &c. God has distinguished His ancient people by certain physical characteristics, which have survived through many generations, and have proved indestructible by all changes of climate and condition; so that wherever any of them are found we may say with confidence, these are the children of Abraham. They differ greatly from each other, and yet they preserve a family likeness by which they are unmistakably distinguished from all the rest of the human race. And there are certain marks by which all who belong to Gods spiritual Israel are as clearly marked off from their fellow-men. Such as
1. Love for Christ. It is one undeniable and never-failing characteristic of the believer that he loves Jesus Christ in sincerity. His love for Christ will show itself in various waysin an earnest endeavour to keep His commandments; in a cheerful submission to all His appointments; in self-sacrificing labour to extend His kingdom and promote His glory.
2. Unworldliness. The Christian is in the world, not of it.
3. Consistency. The conformity of his life to the principles he professes. Do these marks distinguish you? Let it be your daily prayer and endeavour that they may become more manifest in you.James Harris, M.A.; Thursday Penny Pulpit, vol. vii. pp. 373384.
Isa. 61:10. I. The believers boast. II. Determination.Dr. Lyth.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(9) Their seed shall be knowni.e., as in Pro. 31:23, shall be renowned, or honourably recognised, even by the heathen, as the people whom Jehovah hath blessed. (Comp. Isa. 65:23.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. Their seed shall be known Their posterity shall “be known” as a people divinely beloved; and that, too, among peoples once their oppressors.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
DISCOURSE: 1005
BLESSEDNESS OF THE LORDS PEOPLE
Isa 61:9. All that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed.
IN the different countries of the world, the inhabitants are characterized by distinctive differences in their features; and from generation to generation, notwithstanding the vast diversity of countenances, that peculiarity of cast pervades them all. Nevertheless, amidst all the nations where they are scattered, the descendants of Abraham may be clearly discerned from the original inhabitants of the soil: they all shew, by their countenances, their relation to their common parent. And may we not say respecting his spiritual children also, that they may be distinguished from others? True it is, that in outward appearance they resemble those around them; but in heart, in spirit, and in life, they are different from all the world; and yet, however distant from each other in climate, in education, and in habits, they all resemble each other, and bear the stamp and character of God, as their common Father.
In the passage before us, which foretells the increase of the Church in the Apostolic and Millennial periods, this circumstance is noticed: a peculiar blessedness is said to belong to the people of the Lord, even such a blessedness as should be visible to all who beheld them, and should distinguish them from all other persons on the face of the earth. In confirmation of this singular fact, we propose to shew,
I.
That the Lords people are pre-eminently blessed
1.
They are so
[Consult the names given to them in the Holy Scripture: they are the children of light, the children of obedience, the children of God; whilst all others are the children of darkness, of disobedience, of the wicked one Consider the state into which they are brought, a state of pardon, of peace, of holiness, of joy: whilst the whole world besides lieth in wickedness, and are utter strangers to all the blessings of the New Covenant Consider further their prospects in the future world, they being made heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; whilst to all others there is nothing but a certain fearful looking-for of judgment and fiery indignation to consume them Are not such persons then a blessed seed?]
2.
They were so, in Gods purpose, before they came into the world
[We are astonished that many who profess to approve of the Articles of the Church of England, should be so averse to hear the smallest mention made of the counsels and decrees of God. That it is not profitable to be always insisting upon them, we readily admit; and that to dive too curiously into them, as though we were capable of comprehending the deepest mysteries in them, is highly presumptuous: but we must not on that account keep them wholly out of view, or be afraid of speaking as the Scripture speaks. God did most assuredly know from all eternity who were, or should be, his: and he did choose them in Christ before the foundation of the world, and predestinate them to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself [Note: Eph 1:4-5.]; and he gave them to Christ [Note: Joh 17:2; Joh 17:6.], to be redeemed by his blood, to be saved by his grace, and to be made heirs of his glory [Note: 2Th 2:13-14.]: yea, he wrote their names in the Lambs book of life before the foundation of the world [Note: Rev 13:8.]. How truly blessed then must they be! ]
3.
They will be so to all eternity
[All their present privileges and blessings are only preparatory to their future state, when their happiness will be perfect, unchangeable, and everlasting. They are to be made meet for their inheritance in this world; and, when they are completely ready for their nuptials with their heavenly Bridegroom, he will come and take them to himself, that they may live for ever in the perfect fruition of his love [Note: Rev 19:7.] To bring them to this, was Gods original design in choosing them. To fit them for it, is the end of all his dispensations, both of providence and grace. And to possess it, is the one object which they have in view, in all their labours, in all their sufferings, in all their conflicts.]
Moreover, our text asserts that this their blessedness is visible to others, even to all who know them. We proceed therefore to inquire,
II.
Whence it is that all who know them acknowledge this
The world at large do not know them [Note: 1Jn 3:1.]: they stand at so great a distance from the Lords people, that they cannot properly be said to see them: and hence, from the indistinctiveness of their views, they imagine that these people are either vile hypocrites or deluded enthusiasts. But those who have an opportunity of ascertaining their real character, are constrained to acknowledge them as the blessed of the Lord. This conviction is wrought on the minds of others by,
1.
Their delight in God
[Their happiness is altogether in God, even in that God and Saviour who bought them with his blood: they delight in a sense of his favour, in the enjoyment of his presence, and in the performance of his will In this respect they differ from all other men on the face of the earth. Others may render unto God some external services; but the believer alone loves the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, so as to serve him with all the powers and faculties of his soul Hence there arises to the believer a peculiarity of character which elevates him above all other men, and makes it manifest that he is of the seed which the Lord hath blessed.]
2.
Their superiority to the world
[Believers, though in the world, are not of it, even as Jesus Christ himself was not of the world: they rise above its maxims, its pleasures, its interests, its honours: they are crucified to it, and consider it as crucified to them But all other people are of the world: whether they live immersed in its cares, or secluded from its society, they still have their affections placed on things below, and not on things above; and, however they may pretend to despise the world, they are in reality its votaries, as much as if they were following it in the more accustomed way. The monk in his cell lives to himself and to the flesh, as much as the voluptuary or the man of business Now here is another visible mark of distinction between the children of God and others: they may possess, and may enjoy, much of this world; but though they use this world, they do not abuse it; though they discharge their duties in it, they are in no respect in bondage to it: and this also elevates their character in the eyes of all who know them, and distinguishes them as pre-eminently favoured of their God.]
3.
Their activity in doing good
[Like their Divine Master, they go about doing good. This is, as it were, the element in which they delight to move: and, though they themselves are a very little flock in comparison of those around them, it will be found that almost every great and extensive charity has proceeded from them. Of the charities which relate to the souls of men and their edification in the faith of Christ, they, under God, are the sole authors: others may contribute to the spread of the Bible, the establishment of missions, and the promotion of religion in various ways; but the proposals that first set on foot those charities will be found, perhaps universally, to have originated with men of real piety. Here again they differ from all around them; for though we thankfully acknowledge that there is a considerable portion of benevolence in many who are not truly devoted to God, yet there is no real zeal in them for the diffusion of the Gospel, and the salvation of a ruined world.]
4.
The whole consistency of their conduct
[Times and circumstances make no change in them. At all times, and under all circumstances, they are glad in non-essentials to consult the weakness of others: but in things essential they are equally unmoved by hopes or fears. They know not to please men, unless it be for their good to edification. They have but one rule, the written word of God; and to that they are determined to adhere in life and death. But this is a character peculiar to them. All other persons, how pertinacious soever they may be in some things, will relax in others, according as inclination or interest may lead them. In regard to honour and probity indeed a worldly man may be as immovable as others; but in things relating either to the exercise or encouragement of vital godliness, he cannot possibly maintain an uniform tenour of conduct: he wants the principle which alone can produce a firm, uniform, and decided character: consequently where consistency in true religion is, there it will commend itself to all who are able to appreciate its value, and will stamp its possessor as a child of God.]
Advice
1.
Let all be ambitious to attain this honour
[To be acknowledged as the friends and favourites of earthly monarchs were no honour at all in comparison of that which is mentioned in our text. Yet this is within the reach of all. As for that common objection, If God has not chosen me, how can I help myself? it is impious in the extreme [Note: Rom 9:19-20.]. We have nothing to do with the decrees of God, any farther than to refer all good to him, as its true and only source: our duty is, not to dispute, but to obey: and if, in obedience to Gods command, we will believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be numbered amongst his spiritual seed, and be blessed in him with all spiritual and eternal blessings.]
2.
Let those who possess it endeavour to walk worthy of it
[Remarkable is that exhortation of St. Paul, in his Epistle to Timothy, The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his: but [Note: 2Ti 2:19. The word has this meaning, in this and many other places.], Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Do we profess to be of the seed which the Lord has blessed? let us shew that we are so by our conduct and conversation. If we are sons of God, we must be blameless and harmless, shining as lights in the world, and holding forth in our conduct the word of life [Note: Php 2:15-16.]. It is in this way only that we can approve ourselves to be Gods chosen people; and in this way only can we constrain our fellow-creatures to acknowledge the justice of our pretensions.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
This is a blessed promise, and hath a sure fulfillment in the gracious will and pleasure of our covenant God!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Isa 61:9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they [are] the seed [which] the LORD hath blessed.
Ver. 9. And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, ] i.e., Shall be noted and noticed for eximious and exemplary: non aliunde noscibiles quam ex vitae emendatione, a as it was said of the primitive Christians, famous among the very heathens for their holy conversation. Pliny giveth a very honourable testimony of their innocence in his second epistle to Trajan. Those that stood with the Lamb had his Father’s name in their foreheads; Rev 14:1 they led convincing lives, so that their friends could never sufficiently praise them, nor their foes justly find any fault with them. Such a one was Luther, Bucer, Bradford, &c. Christians should shine as lamps, show forth the power of godliness in their whole practice, do more than others possibly can do, Mat 5:47 that all may see and say, “These are the seed that the Lord hath blessed,” these are his darlings, his earthly angels. What a shame was it to those flagitious Jews that it should be asked, “Are these the people of Jehovah?” Eze 36:20 And the like to profligate professors, that Papists should say, Are these your new gospellers? For certain, said one, a when he had read Christ’s sermon in the mount, either this is not gospel, or we are not right gospellers.
a Tertul. ad Scapul.
b Linaker.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
people = peoples.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
their seed: Isa 44:3, Gen 22:18, Zec 8:13, Rom 9:3, Rom 9:4
they are: Isa 65:23, Psa 115:14, Act 3:26, Rom 11:16-24
Reciprocal: Gen 26:28 – was with Gen 30:27 – the Lord 1Ki 8:66 – joyful Psa 45:17 – therefore Psa 69:36 – The seed Isa 19:25 – the Lord Isa 45:14 – they shall fall Isa 45:25 – the seed Isa 62:2 – the Gentiles Zep 3:20 – for Mal 3:12 – all Act 3:19 – when Act 11:14 – all Eph 1:3 – who
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
61:9 And {r} their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they [are] the seed [which] the LORD hath blessed.
(r) That is, of the Church.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The physical seed of Abraham would continue to exist and to be identifiable as Israel, as God promised the patriarch and his descendants (Gen 12:1-3). Furthermore, Israel would be a witness to the rest of the earth’s population. Thus all the earth would be able to worship and praise Yahweh.