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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 28:23-29

This parable, which (like many of our Saviour's parables) is borrowed from the husbandman's calling, is ushered in with a solemn preface demanding attention, He that has ears to hear, let him hear, hear and understand, Isa. 28:23. I. The parable here is plain enough, that the husbandman applies himself to the business of his calling with a great deal of pains and prudence, secundum artem?according to rule, and, as his judgment directs him, observes a method and order in his work. 1. In his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 28:29

This also cometh from the Lord of hosts ,.... All this wisdom the husbandman has, in manuring his ground, in sowing it with proper seed, and in threshing it out in a manner suitable to it. Agriculture or husbandry, even among the Heathens, is always ascribed to God, as an invention of his, and it was the first work which God put man to, and instructed him in, Genesis 3:23 and as this, so all other arts, and sciences, and manufactures, come from God, even all things in nature, providence,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 28:23-29

A PARABLE TO COMFORT BELIEVERS . Isaiah is always careful to intermingle promises with his threats, comfort with his denunciations. Like his great Master, of whom he prophesied, he was fain not to "break the bruised reed" or "quench the smoking flax." When he had searched men's wounds with the probe, he was careful to pour in oil and wine. So now, having denounced the sinners of Judah through three long paragraphs (verses 7-22), he has a word of consolation and encouragement for the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 28:23-29

Proverbial lore. The ploughman's activity and the thresher's are set before the people as a parable of Israel's tribulations. At least, this is one of the views of the passage. I. THE PURPOSE OF AFFLICTION . It is from God, and the end ever kept in view is the good of the soul and its productiveness. The ploughman does not plough for ploughing's sake. He opens the soil, turns up the furrows, breaks the clods with the harrow, and all to prepare for the sowing of the seed. And so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 28:23-29

Divine discrimination. There are two preliminary lessons we may gather from these verses before we pluck the principal one. I. THAT IN THE ACTS AND INDUSTRIES OF MAN WE MAY FIND APT ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE WISDOM OF GOD . "Give ear and hear" ( Isaiah 28:23 ). There is something well worth observing in human husbandry; it will teach the student a useful lesson respecting the ways of God. Not only from the lilies of the field and from the birds of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 28:29

This also (comp. Isaiah 28:26 ). This prudent dealing of the husbandman with his produce is the result of the wisdom implanted in him by God. The prophet goes no further, but leaves his disciples to draw the conclusion that God's own method of working will be similar. Wonderful in counsel (comp. Isaiah 9:6 ). Excellent in working ; rather, great in wisdom (comp. Job 6:13 : Job 12:16 ; Proverbs 2:7 ; Proverbs 3:21 ; Proverbs 8:14 ; Proverbs 18:1 ; Micah 6:9 ). ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 28:29

God's work in men's minds and wills. The literal translation of the last clause of this verse is, "He makes counsel wonderful, he makes wisdom great." The husbandman's treatment of his crop, no less than his preparation of the soil, is a dictate of experience under Divine teaching. But these things are not chiefly matters of hand and arm; they are matters of thought, mind, judgment, will, decision. The handicraft in a farm is the carrying out of decisions of mind and resolves of will. This... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 28:29

This also cometh ... - That is, these various devices for threshing his grain comes from the Lord no less than the skill with which he tills his land. (see Isaiah 28:26).And excellent in working - Or rather, who magnifies (חגדיל chigdiyl) his wisdom ( תוּשׁיה tûshı̂yâh). This word properly means wisdom, or understanding Job 11:6; Job 12:16; Job 26:3; Proverbs 3:21; Proverbs 8:14; Proverbs 18:1. The idea of the prophet is, that God, who had so wisely taught the farmer, and who had instructed... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 28:27-29

Isaiah 28:27-29. “Four methods of thrashing are here mentioned, by different instruments: the flail, the drag, the wain, and the treading of cattle. The staff, or flail, was used for the grain that was too tender to be treated in the other methods. The drag consisted of a sort of frame of strong planks, made rough at the bottom, with hard stones or iron: it was drawn by horses or oxen over the corn-sheaves spread on the floor, the driver sitting upon it. The wain was much like... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 28:1-29

28:1-33:24 HEZEKIAH AND THE ASSYRIANSBefore reading Chapters 28-33, readers should be familiar with the historical background found in the introduction under the heading ‘Judah’s new policies under Hezekiah’. Hezekiah reversed the policies of his father Ahaz. Whereas Ahaz sought help from Assyria to oppose Israel and Syria, Hezekiah sought help from Egypt to oppose Assyria. Isaiah opposed both policies alike. Faith in God, not reliance on foreign powers, is Judah’s only hope for survival. The... read more

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