Isaiah 30:23

Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures. THEN SHALL HE GIVE THE RAIN OF THY SEED - rather, 'for thy seed.' Physical prosperity accompanies national piety, especially under the Old Testament. The early rain fell soon after the seed was sown, in October or November; the latter rain in the spring, before the ripening of the corn. Both were needed for a good harvest. AND BREAD OF THE INCREASE - the produce OF THE EARTH. AND BREAD OF THE INCREASE - the produce OF THE EARTH. And it shall be fat - bread made of the best wheat flour (cf. ;...

23._Then will he give rain to thy seed. _From the fruit he again shews how desirable it is to be converted to God; for the fruit of repentance is, that he receives converted persons into favor, and bestows his blessing on them, so that they are in want of nothing, but, on the contrary, are loaded with every kind of blessings. As troubles and distresses proceed from the wrath of God, whom we provoke by our crimes, so, when he is pacified, everything goes on prosperously with us, and we obtain every sort of kindness, as the Law more fully testifies. (Leviticus 26:3; Deuteronomy 28:3.) A little before, he had spoken of “rain,” from which they were led to expect an abundant supply of food; but because he had not observed order in beginning with earthly and fading blessings, he therefore now adds to doctrine, which is spiritual no

19-26 God's people will soon arrive at the Zion above, and then they will weep no more for ever. Even now they would have more comfort, as well as holiness, if they were more constant in prayer. A famine of bread is not so great a judgment as a famine of the word of God. There are right-hand and left-hand errors; the tempter is busy courting us into by-paths. It is happy if, by the counsels of a faithful minister or friend, or the checks of conscience, and the strivings of God the Spirit, we are set right when doubting, and prevented from going wrong. They shall be cured of their idolatry. To all true penitents sin becomes very hateful. This is shown daily in the conversion of souls, by the power of Divine grace, to the fear and love of God. Abundant means of grace, with the influences of the Holy Spirit, would be extended to places destitute of them. The effect of this should be comfor...

THEN SHALL HE GIVE THE RAIN OF THY SEED - That is, he shall send rain on the seed which is sown. You will be allowed to cultivate the soil without molestation, and God will give you fruitful seasons and abundant harvests. This is a poetic description of a happy or golden age, when there would be peace and prosperity (compare the notes at Isaiah 11:6). AND BREAD OF THE INCREASE OF THE EARTH - And bread which the ground shall produce. AND IT SHALL BE FAT AND PLENTEOUS - It shall be rich and abundant; that is, there shall be prosperity and an ample supply for your needs. FEED IN LARGE PASTURES - This is a description of security when their cattle should be permitted to roam at large, and have abundant pasturage - an image of prosperity

EXPOSITION ISAIAH 30:1 THE ALLIANCE WITH EGYPT OPENLY REBUKED. In the preceding chapter (Isaiah 30:15) the design of the Jewish rulers to seek the alliance of Egypt was covertly glanced at and condemned; now it is openly declared and rebuked. The rulers are warned that no good can possibly come of it, even in a worldly sense. The Egyptians will give no aid, or at any rate no effectual aid. The sums expended in purchasing their friendship will be utterly thrown away. ISAIAH 30:1 WOE TO THE REBELLIOUS CHILDREN (comp....

THEN SHALL HE GIVE THEE RAIN OF THY SEED, THAT THOU SHALT SOW THE GROUND WITHAL,.... Or, "rain to thy seed" f; that is, when the seed is sown in the earth, the Lord will give the former rain, and cause it to take root, and spring up: AND BREAD OF THE INCREASE OF THE EARTH; the earth, being watered with rain, should give its increase of corn, of which bread should be made; so that there would be seed to the sower, and bread to the eater, as in Isaiah 55:10: AND IT SHALL BE FAT AND PLENTEOUS; or "fat and fat"; very fat and rich, exceeding good bread, and plenty of it; and after the siege of the city by Sennacherib's army was broke up, and that was destroyed, for years following there was great fruitfulness in the land, as was foretold, Isaiah 37:30 and this may denote t

CHAPTER 30 The Fourth Woe Against Alliance With Egypt 1. _The alliance and its failure (Isaiah 30:1)_ 2. _The written table against the rebellious people (Isaiah 30:8)_ 3. _Jehovah's word of encouragement (Isaiah 30:15)_ 4. _The nation blest and restored (Isaiah 30:18)_ 5. _Idolatry ceases and the land restored (Isaiah 30:22)_ 6. _The accomplishment by the coming of the Lord (Isaiah 30:27)_ While this chapter had a si

Yahweh waits till the time is ripe for intervention, and then shows His graciousness and mercy. Then there shall be no sorrow in Zion; Yahweh's answer anticipates (render, has answered) His people's prayer (Isaiah 65:24). Even though they have been reduced to the barest necessities, yet Yahweh Himself shall be the teacher, His voice guiding them in the right way. The idols will be cast away, agriculture will flourish, the early rain at sowing-time will not fail, there shall be abundance of food for man, ample pasturage for the cattle. The oxen and asses will eat provender separated from its chaff and made savoury with salt (_mg.)._ Even the mountains will run down with water in the day when Yahweh smites the foe with a great slaughter. The moon shall shine like the sun, and the sun with a sevenfold light....

THY SEED. Another reading (Ben Naphtali) is "thy land". EARTH. ground, or soil....

_the rain of thy seed_ the "early rain" falling in the month of October. _bread of the increase of the earth_ Perhaps: "bread-corn (Isaiah 28:28) the produce of the ground." Cf. ch. Isaiah 37:30....