Literature: Isaiah presents a pair of comparisons: (1) the sands of the sea and a “remnant,” and (2) “consumption decreed” and “overflow[ing] with righteousness.” In the first set, the contrast is between a very large number and a much smaller “remnant.” In the second set, the consumption (destruction) is contrasted with righteousness—not merely a balancing righteousness but one that “overflows.” The sense of the passage is that, just as the large number will yield only a small remnant, so will this small (in the Lord’s perspective) destruction be compensated by abundant righteousness.