The Blessed Seed
J. Harris, M. A. 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… I. THERE IS A SEED OR RACE WHICH THE LORD HATH BLESSED. Elsewhere it is described as "the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16). But it is neither co-extensive with, nor confined to, the descendants of Jacob (Romans 9:6-8; Galatians 3:28; Galatians 4:28; Ephesians 3:6; Philippians 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 God's 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.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: Their seed shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which Yahweh has blessed."