For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.
Though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, (yet) a remnant of them (Hebrew, among them) shall return. Paul explains the sense, Romans 9:27, 'Though Israel be now numerous as the sand, a remnant only of them shall return'-the great majority shall perish. The reason is added.
The consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness - `because the consumption (the complete destruction) decreed (literally, decided on) shall over flow (Isaiah 30:28; Isaiah 8:8) with justice (shall bring upon sinners an overflowing flood of justice, Isaiah 5:16). Romans 9:28 explains this passage, "He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness" - i:e., He will finish the work of destruction decided upon in His righteous decree. At the same time it is hinted that the work of destruction of His people has its definite end when the rebels shall have been cut off (Isaiah 10:25).