Isaiah 28:29
This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights that even the farmer's practical wisdom in tending crops comes from God. This isn't just about acknowledging God as the Creator, but recognizing His active involvement in the details of everyday life, showing He is the source of all skill and effective action.
The prophet has just described the meticulous and varied methods a farmer uses to thresh different grains, highlighting the farmer's skill and God's instruction in these practices. This section concludes a larger discourse in Isaiah 28 that contrasts the superficial, prideful ways of Israel's leaders with the profound, wise ways of God. The verse immediately following this one shifts focus to God's own perfect and purposeful "threshing" of His people.
Ever feel like God is only involved in the 'big' things? This verse reminds us that His wisdom touches even the most common aspects of life.
Isaiah's prophecy uses the example of a farmer to illustrate God's involvement. The farmer knows exactly how to thresh different grains, using the right tools and methods for each. This isn't just brute force; it's skillful, wise application.
When life feels chaotic or His actions confusing, remember this: God is never caught off guard. His plans are intricate and brilliant.
The verse calls God 'wonderful in counsel and excellent in working.' This isn't just a nice compliment; it's a profound theological statement about His nature.
Understand the original words
YHWH Sabaoth · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title for God emphasizing His sovereignty, majesty, and absolute authority as the Commander of all spiritual and physical forces in the universe. It portrays Him as the Almighty King who leads both the heavenly host and the earthly affairs of His people.
etsah · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical context, counsel (etsah) refers to a plan, purpose, advice, or strategy. When attributed to God, it signifies His divine decree, perfect wisdom, and the unfailing purpose He executes in history for His glory and the good of His people.
chokmah · Hebrew Noun
Wisdom (chokmah) in Scripture is not merely intellectual knowledge but the practical, God-given ability to live life effectively and righteously according to His law. It is the discernment to apply divine truth to the complexities of human life.
This verse echoes Isaiah's praise of God's wisdom, stating that the Lord founded the earth with wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. It reinforces the idea that God's intelligence is the source of all creation and order.
Psalm 145:17This Psalm declares the Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all his works, aligning with Isaiah's description of God being 'excellent in working.' It highlights God's dependable and just actions in all that He does.
Isaiah 9:6This well-known Messianic prophecy refers to the coming child as 'Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.' It directly connects to Isaiah 28:29's 'wonderful in counsel,' showing how God's wisdom is embodied in Christ.
Job 12:13This verse from Job states that with God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding. It provides a strong conceptual parallel to Isaiah's declaration, emphasizing God's comprehensive wisdom and power in His dealings.
barnesIsaiah 28:29: "This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working."
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;…
ellicottIsaiah 28:29: "This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working."
(29) This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts. —The force of the climax lies in the use of the highest of the Divine names instead of “God” (Elohim), as in Isaiah 28:26 . The wisdom of the husband man was His gift in the highest aspect of the being that had been revealed to men, and that gift was in itself a parable of the method of His own government.
The verse highlights that even the farmer's practical wisdom in tending crops comes from God. This isn't just about acknowledging God as the Creator, but recognizing His active involvement in the details of everyday life, showing He is the source of all skill and effective action.
The prophet has just described the meticulous and varied methods a farmer uses to thresh different grains, highlighting the farmer's skill and God's instruction in these practices. This section concludes a larger discourse in Isaiah 28 that contrasts the superficial, prideful ways of Israel's leaders with the profound, wise ways of God. The verse immediately following this one shifts focus to God's own perfect and purposeful "threshing" of His people.
The prophet has just described the meticulous and varied methods a farmer uses to thresh different grains, highlighting the farmer's skill and God's instruction in these practices. This section concludes a larger discourse in Isaiah 28 that contrasts the superficial, prideful ways of Israel's leaders with the profound, wise ways of God. The verse immediately following this one shifts focus to God's own perfect and purposeful "threshing" of His people.
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"This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom." — The verse highlights that even the farmer's practical wisdom in tending crops comes from God. This isn't just about acknowledging God as the Creator, but recognizing His active involvement in the det…
