61:7 For your shame [ye shall have] {m} double; and [for] confusion {n} they shall rejoice in {o} their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the {p} double: everlasting joy shall be to them.
(m) Abundant recompence as this word is used, Isa 40:2.
(n) That is, the Jews.
(o) That is, of the Gentiles.
(p) While the Gentiles had dominion over the Jews in times past, now they will have double authority over them and possess twice as much.
61:7 Double - Honour. Portion - Of honour, that God will give them.
61:4-9 Promises are here made to the Jews returned out of captivity, which extend to all those who, through grace, are delivered out of spiritual thraldom. An unholy soul is like a city that is broken down, and has no walls, like a house in ruins; but by the power of Christ's gospel and grace, it is fitted to be a habitation of God, through the Spirit. When, by the grace of God, we attain to holy indifference as to the affairs of this world; when, though our hands are employed about them, our hearts are not entangled with them, but preserved entire for God and his service, then the sons of the alien are our ploughmen and vine-dressers. Those whom He sets at liberty, he sets to work. His service is perfect freedom; it is the greatest honour. All believers are made, to our God, kings and priests; and always ought to conduct themselves as such. Those who have the Lord for their portion, have reason to say, that they have worthy portion, and to rejoice in it. In the fulness of heaven's joys we shall receive more than double for all our services and sufferings. God desires truth, and therefore hates all injustice. Nor will it justify any man's robbery to say, it was for burnt-offerings; and that robbery is most hateful which is under this pretence. Let the children of godly parents be such, that all may see the fruits of a good education; an answer to the prayers for them, in the fruit of God's blessing.
