The image of the sand of the sea communicates an amount that is almost impossible to number or count. In other words, despite looming judgment and suffering of God’s covenant curses, God’s people will nevertheless in the future abound. It is also a fairly common proverbial image of abundance in the Old Testament (Genesis 41:49; Joshua 11:4; Judges 7:12; 1 Samuel 13:5; 1 Kings 4:20).1
However, the image is also a very clear allusion to the promises God made to Abraham (Genesis 15:5; Genesis 22:17; Genesis 32:12), rooting Israel’s future hope and salvation in God’s promises. Therefore the image of sea sand does not only indicate an immeasurable increase in Israel’s population, but it also hints at the inclusion of others into the people of God, those not physically descended from Abraham.2 In brief, the language is covenantal. It roots Israel’s hopes of returning from exile, restoration, and resting in the land God gives them, in God’s gracious commitment to them rather than their obedience to him. It reminds them that their hope is sure because of God’s faithful commitment to his promises.
Stuart argues that we should understand this promise to be national, corporate, and eschatological.3 It is a vision of God’s salvation, which will not only be experienced in Israel’s future, but expands beyond the nation and their moment in history as it anticipates something much more glorious. We can also detect this covenantal language in Hosea 1:11, referring to reunification (also Hosea 3:5), and tie it back to the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:1–29).
10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, “Children of the living God.”