A Double Portion

I was reading in Isaiah 40:1-2 earlier this week.

"Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins."

I was struck by the phrase ''double for all her sins". Isaiah writes something similar again in chapter 61 when he says 'instead of shame, my people will receive a double portion.'

I thought of Hannah and how her husband gave her a double portion since he loved her and the Lord had closed her womb. (I Sam 1:5). Of course he also married another woman so maybe that's not a great example. I found in Deut. where the son of an unloved wife was to get a double portion of inheritance. It's like God's plan was to go beyond the norm in blessing and inheritance.

Ephesians chapter 1 says that the riches of God's grace has been lavished on us. Paul quoting Isaiah 64:4 writes in 1 Corinthians that "eye has seen, no ear heard, nor mind conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him."

It's like getting twins - but without the work!

This message to be proclaimed - not just to Jerusalem but starting there - is a comforting message. It's a tender message. It's a message of forgiveness, release and hope. But the double part shows that it is more than we can even imagine. Amazing, amazing grace!