Advent Through the Lens of Four Christmas Songs

Comfort, Comfort Ye My People

Part 3

Isaiah 40.1-8

(3) Her blessings will greatly exceed her sufferings (Isa 40.2).

The last phrase of Isaiah 40.2 is commonly rendered to say that Jerusalem “has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.” But that reading seems unlikely.  Are we to believe that Israel’s sufferings were far greater than her sins deserved, or that God would punish more than sins deserve, or that Israel’s sufferings are what account for her warfare ending and her sins being pardoned?  Elsewhere in Scripture, when “double” is used in association with the cessation of suffering, it refers to the comparative greatness of blessings to come (Isaiah 61.6-7; Job 11.6).*  In such contexts, “double” does not mean literally double, but “much greater.” Israel’s past sufferings cannot be compared to her future blessings — that’s what our text is saying.

The Apostle Paul says something very similar in the New Testament: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Rom 8.18.) This is same context in which Paul gives us one of the greatest assurances in Scripture: “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8.28.) Thus glory not only awaits us, it attends us. We not only proceed to glory, we proceed from glory to glory (2Cor 3.18). For God has predestined that we be conformed to the image of his Son (Rom 8.29). There is no wasted pain in our lives. Those pains we feel are simply the work of the Sculptor’s chisel.

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* See Edward J. Young, The Book of Isaiah, vol. 3, pp. 23-24, acknowledging that “the idea of receiving double after suffering usually refers to the reception of blessing”, but nevertheless taking a contrary position regarding Isaiah 40.2. I am persuaded by Young’s discussion but not his conclusion.