PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS

Tag: Isaiah

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Isaiah 42:1–9 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Old Testament reading of the First Sunday after Epiphany, Isaiah 42:1–9, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    Note: This is the appointed reading from the Lutheran Missal Project.

    I. A promise of God the heavenly Father and a prophecy concerning Christ as to what kind of office He will have and how He will carry it out. (v. 1–9)

    Annotated Text

    1. Behold, this is * My Servant (although Christ, according to His divine nature, is equal to God the Father in essence, power, and honor and also according to His human nature has received divine attributes by virtue of the personal union, nevertheless, for our sake, He has become the servant of God the Father through His humiliation, Philippians 2:7), whom I uphold;1 and (this is) My Elect (the one whom I have chosen for the work of redemption from eternity past), in † whom My soul has good pleasure. I have given Him My Spirit (without any measure, so that He should rest fully on Him, Isaiah 11:2, John 3:34), He will bring forth justice (how a man must become righteous before God and be blessed) among the Gentiles (through the preaching of the Gospel).

    * Matthew 12:18

    1 Hebrew: “I grasp Him and support Him” (see Exodus 17:12). Thus, in Matthew 12[:18–21] is the meaning only expressed.

    † Matthew 3:17, 17:5; 2 Peter 1:17 (Isaiah 49:6)

    2. He will not cry out nor call (Christ will not establish a worldly kingdom in which there is much turmoil and unrest, Luke 17:20), and His voice will not be heard in the streets (He will conduct Himself in humility and in the lowly form of a servant, Philippians 2:7).

    (Matthew 12:19)

    3. The * bruised reed He will not break (He will not further trouble contrite and broken hearts, but much more comfort them and bless them), and the smoldering wick (the little light of weak faith in the one who wants to despair on account of his sins) He will not quench (He will show Himself gentle toward those who labor and are burdened, Matthew 11:28–29, and He will bear with their weaknesses with patience). He will teach to keep the justice (which counts before God) truthfullly1 (He will also instruct those who have become righteous through faith in Him as to how henceforth they ought to serve God the Lord in holiness and righteousness, Luke 1:74–75).

    * Matthew 12:20; Psalm 34:19 (Matthew 9:12ff.)

    1 Hebrew: “to bring forth to firm conviction” (that is, “perform.” Therefore, it is also given as “unto victory” or “victorious” [εἰς νῖκος] in Matthew 12[:20].

    4. He will be neither sullen nor dreadful (Luther: “He will not be harsh or irascible and sour, but rather friendly, gentle, and benevolent”), until He establishes justice on earth;1 and the islands will wait (there will also be far remote Gentile peoples called to His kingdom, who dwell on the islands) for His Law (for the doctrine of the Gospel).

    (Jeremiah 23:5; Matthew 12:21)

    1 Hebrew: “He will not become distressed (that is, disgruntled, Isaiah 61:3), nor retreat, until He establishes justice in the land (of Israel); thereafter, etc.”

    5. Thus says God, the Lord, who created and spread out heaven, who made the earth and its vegetation, who gives breath to the people who are on it and spirit (life) to those who go on it:

    6. I, the Lord (God the Father) have called (I have ordained You for this, that You shall carry out the work of redemption) You (My beloved Son, Christ) with righteousness (in such manner that You will render a complete payment to My righteousness, and obtain the perfect righteousness that counts before Me for the human race), and I will grasp You by the hand (as You contend against death, sin, devil, and hell), and I will keep you, and I will have You given as a covenant (as Mediator of the New Testament or Covenant) among the people1 (that You establish and confirm them through Your blood), as Light * to the Gentiles (that You bring not only the Jews but also the Gentiles through the light of the Gospel into the light of the saving knowledge of God and their Savior);

    1 The people of Israel (see Romans 9:4, 15:8; Acts 3:25).

    * Isaiah 9:2, 49:6, 60:1 (Daniel 9:24; Luke 2:32; Romans 5:19; Romans 8:2ff.)

    7. that You shall open the eyes of the blind (those stuck in spiritual blindness), and lead the prisoners from the prison (that You redeem them from the curse of the Law, as well as death and eternal condemnation) and those who * sit in darkness (who lack the true knowledge of God in Christ), from the prison (in which no light lightens or shines).

    * Matthew 4:16 (Isaiah 35:5, 61:1; Luke 1:79; Acts 26:18)

    8. * I am the Lord (who alone am the only true self-subsisting God), that is My (proper) name; † and I will give My honor to no other (false god), nor My praise to idols.

    * Exodus 3:15

    † Isaiah 48:11 (Exodus 6:3; Psalm 83:19)

    9. Behold what shall come I proclaim to you beforehand,1 and I proclaim new things (of which no one could have surmised); before they come up (spring forth and flourish), I let you hear of them (Here, the promise properly speaking is to be understood of the coming of the Messiah, who in the prophet Zechariah 6:12 is called “Zemah,” that is, a “Branch”).

    (Isaiah 41:26)

    1 Hebrew: “Behold, the first things (which I had previously allowed to be spoken, e.g., the conquest of Canaan, the kings of Israel, etc.) have come, and what is new (that is, what has not yet come), etc.” See Isaiah 43:19.

    Useful Applications

    I. COMFORT: That all repentant, troubled, and broken hearts (who are like a bruised reed and a smoldering wick) ought to be raised up, comforted, and made joyful by their Savior Christ from His holy Word. (v. 3–4)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Isaiah 9:2, 6–7 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Old Testament Reading of Christmas Eve (Midnight), Isaiah 9:2, 6–7, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    Note: The Lutheran Missal Project omits v. 3–5 from the reading.

    I. A prophecy concerning Christ and the call of the Gentiles, what great joy will follow thereupon. (v. 2–3)

    II. A description of the abolition of the Mosaic Law, and the spiritual peace, together with the ground on which it rests. (v. 4–7)

    Annotated Text

    2. The * people (Judah and Israel), who walked in darkness (who were stuck in great ignorance, unbelief, misery, and hardship on account of the enduring burden of war, especially during the times of the Maccabees), have seen a great Light (this great Light is the Lord Christ, who is the true Light who has come into the world, John 1:9, and in His coming has brought with Himself the light of grace and the saving knowledge of God as well as the light of joy and life), and over those who dwell in the land of darkness,1 it shines brightly.

    * Isaiah 42:7; Matthew 4:16; Luke1:79 (Ephesians 5:14)

    1 Hebrew: “the shadow of death,” cf. Luke 1:79

    [Verses 3–5 are omitted by the Lutheran Missal Project.]

    6. For1 to us (to the people of God first, but afterword to the Gentiles, and in this way to all men) a * Child is born, to us † a Son (namely, God’s only-begotten Son) is given, whose lordship is upon His shoulder (the burden of the work of the redemption of the human race and the governance of His Church lies upon Him; He bears the cross upon His shoulder  in order to assemble for Himself a kingdom from the human race); and He is called2 (He is in deed and truth, and is also proclaimed, extolled, and praised in the preaching of the Gospel, namely) ** wonderful (on account of His person and His office), Counselor (who has found counsel, how the fallen and lost human race can be counseled and helped  who has revealed the counsel of God concerning our salvation in His Word, John 1:18, 15:15; and who can provide counsel in the greatest needs and also give believers the best and most lasting counsel, as to how they shall obtain a gracious God and be saved), Mighty, Champion (who, through His divine power, can overcome all things and bring them into the right; a mighty God, for God is therefore called “El” in Holy Scripture, because He is an almighty champion against whom nothing can stand), Eternal Father (who has obtained an eternal sonship for believers with God the Father through His merit), Prince of Peace (who to believers gives peace with God in heaven and in their consciences, Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:20);

    1 Here follows an explanation of the previous saying, so that the source of all the joy of believers is now indicated more clearly in Christ.

    * Luke 1:31ff., 2:7, 11

    † John 3:17; Romans 8:3; Galatians 4:4

    2 Hebrew: “They will call His name” (that is, “He will be,” see Isaiah 7:14)

    ** Judges 13:18 (Psalm 40:8; Psalm 45:4–6; Ephesians 2:13ff.)

    7. so that His * lordship will be great (for the Jews and Gentiles will be brought under His spiritual kingdom), and † His peace will have no end, upon the throne of David and His kingdom (so that He will rule in eternity over the members of His kingdom in peace and unity; for the bodily kingdom of David was only a type of the spiritual and eternal kingdom of Christ); that He establish it and strengthen it with judgment and righteousness (in this life, the kingdom of Christ is established with judgment, when He overcomes the prince of this world, John 16:11, and judges and punishes all enemies of His kingdom; it is strengthen with righteousness when He bestows the righteousness which avails before God to the members of His kingdom and gives them justice against all enemies;  and in eternal life, complete rest from all enemies will follow and the members of Christ’s kingdom will obtain eternal joy and salvation) from now until then in eternity (without end and ceasing). The zeal of the Lord of Sabaoth will do ** this.1 (Christ’s burning love toward His Church, and His wrathful zeal against the devil, who has tempted men since the Fall.)

    * Luke 1:32

    † Psalm 72:3, 7, Isaiah 26:3

    ** Isaiah 37:32; 2 Kings 19:31 (Jeremiah 23:5; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 2 Kings 19:31)

    1 Hebrew: “From that time on” (when this kingdom will begin), “and until and as long as the world stands will the zeal of the Lord of Sabaoth do this” (He will continue it and bring it completion). Concerning the zeal of the Lord in love, see Isaiah 37:32; Song of Songs 8:6.

    Useful Applications

    [There are no useful applications for v. 2]

    II. DOCTRINE: That the Son of God, who has been born true man, is the gracious King, Protector, and Savior of all believers. (v. 6–7)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Isaiah 7:10–15 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Second Reading (the Epistle Reading) of the Ember Wednesday of Advent, Isaiah 7:10–15, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    II. [Isaiah] deals with the sign which God offered to them, but which Ahaz did not want to request, on account of which the Lord punished him and named the sign, namely, the birth of Christ, or the consolation in the coming Immanuel. (v. 10–16)

    Annotated Text

    10. And the Lord spoke once more to Ahaz (through the prophet Isaiah), and said:

    11. “Ask for a sign of the Lord, your God (to convince you that what I have now said is God’s Word and the truth), be it below in the depths, or above in the heights (whether it be here on earth or above in heaven, so shall it happen; for I am the almighty God, and nothing is impossible for me, Luke 1:37).

    1 Hebrew: “turn yourself downward into the depth and ask, or turn yourself upward into the height” (You are free to demand a miraculous sign from wherever you want.)

    12. But Ahaz said (from an unbelieving heart and with a hypocritical mouth), “I will not ask (hereby Ahaz despises all those things which the prophet had promised him by God’s command, and in order to whitewash his hypocrisy, he says), for I will not test the Lord (he points to Scripture and thereby mocks the prophet’s offer, as if it were contrary to God’s Word, since in Scripture it is forbidden to tempt God the Lord by demanding a sign, Deuteronomy 6:16. Now it is one thing to demand a sign out of unbelief or presumption, and at an importune moment, without need and without a command from God; but is another thing to accept a sign which God Himself offers in order to strengthen the faith of men in order to thank Him and in due obedience).

    (Matthew 12:38; John 4:48)

    13. Then he said (the prophet Isaiah), “Well then, here then you of the house of David: Is it a small thing for you to insult the people (the priest mocks and skins the subjects), that you must (out of the impulse of your wicked heart) also insult my God?1 (in that you reject His Word and gracious promise and thereby want to make Him a liar, so much as it is within you).

    1 Hebrew: “to cause trouble” (through so much futile offering and vain apologizing)

    14. Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign1: Behold, a * virgin2 shall conceive (which is above all nature and contrary to its ordinary course), and will give birth to a Son (who is Christ), whom they will call3 † Immanuel (“God with us,” who is God and true man together in one person; who is the foundation of all the promises of God, 2 Corinthians 1:20, and is the faithful testimony of divine love and grace toward us men, Revelation 1:5).

    * Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31; Micah 5:2

    † Isaiah 8:8, 10

    1 A supernatural miracle, which although still in the future, was nevertheless an absolute truth among the Jews (see Genesis 3:12; 2 Kings 19:29; Matthew 12:39ff.). At the very least, the house of Judah and David had to be preserved until this Son was born.

    2 This Hebrew word signifies a virgin according to its origin and established use. Otherwise, the matter could not have provided a miraculous sign.

    3 To be called a name often signifies that very fact. [i.e., Christ is truly, not figuratively, “God with us.”] See Isaiah 1:26, 9:6, 56:7; Jeremiah 3:17; Zechariah 6:12, 8:3; Luke 1:25, etc.

    15. He will eat butter and honey (He will be reared in such a common manner and way, as any other boy in the Jewish land), that He might know to reject evil and to choose the good (so long until He comes into His full age, and then can distinguish between good and evil, which happened  during the time that He carried out His teaching office on earth, to which He was consecrated at His baptism through divine revelation, Matthew 3:16–17).1

    * Hebrews 5:14 (Philippians 2:7)

    1 * Until He comes to the years in which children learn to understand the distinction between good and evil.

    16. For before * the boy (namely, Immanuel) learns to reject evil and to choose good (before He is yet to be born and increases in age and wisdom, Luke 2:40, 52)1 the land which you dread (namely, the land of Syria and the ten tribes of Israel) will be forsaken by its two kings (for both Rezin and Pekah were slain before Ahaz had completed the fourth year of his reign [see 2 Kings 15:30, 16:9]).

    * Isaiah 8:4 (v. 4)

    1 * That is, before he comes to these years, or in a short time as a boy comes to His reason. Those who understand such words as concerning the small boy Shear-Jashub [Isaiah 7:3] standing there, to whom the prophet pointed with his finger, come even closer to the matter and to the shortness of the time.

    Useful Applications

    II.  DOCTRINE: That the Son of God was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary for our redemption. (v. 14)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Isaiah 2:2–5 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Old Testament of the Ember Wednesday of Advent, Isaiah 2:2–5, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    I. Isaiah deals with the future calling of the Gentiles to the Kingdom of Christ. (v. 1–5)

    Annotated Text

    1. This is that which Isaiah, the Son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. (The prophecy belongs to the New Testament.)

    2. It shall come to pass in the latter time that the mountain where the house of the Lord (the Kingdom of Christ and God, where He will dwell and reveal Himself) shall certainly be higher (Luther: “that one no longer needs to run here and there, but rather will certainly find God,” namely, in the Christian Church, which is built upon Christ as the Rock, Matthew 16:18; the same is also called Mount Zion here because it was first assembled together in Jerusalem at the time of Christ and His apostles and then from there spread itself into all the world) than all mountains and be exalted over all hills (the Christian Church and the Kingdom of the Lord Messiah [Christ] will far excel all other kingdoms and will have a different and better condition than the Church of the Jewish people), and all the Gentiles will run1 to it (Luther: “as water runs with force and freely of itself”);

    * Jeremiah 3:17; Micah 4:1 (Psalm 68:16–17)

    1 Hebrew: “flow” (in heaps)

    3. And1 many people will go forth and say, “Come, let us go to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways, and that we may walk in his paths. For from Zion the Law will go forth, and the Lord’s Word from Jerusalem (the apostles will begin to preach the doctrine of the Gospel at Jerusalem and in the Jewish land, and from there spread it until the end of the world, Acts 1:8).

    (Psalm 50:2; Psalm 110:2; Zechariah 8:23)

    1 Hebrew: “For it will happen…” (This is an explanation of what preceded.)

    4. And He (Christ, to whom His heavenly Father has given all judgment, John 5:22) will judge among the Gentiles and rebuke many people (He will convince them through the preaching of His Word that they have merited eternal damnation, and therefore admonish them that so that they may flee from such condemnation and be all the more eager and willing to accept His Gospel). Then they1 will make their * swords into plowshares and their spears into sickles (Luther: “or reaping hooks.” Jews and Gentiles will in Christ will have love and value for one another, and not, as previously, be hostile toward one another, rather they will have one heart, mouth, and mind according to the Gospel). For no people will2 lift up a sword against another, and they no longer learn war (They will no longer hold so stiffly to pagan idolatry, but rather will give themselves captive with their reason under the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5).

    * Micah 4:3 (Isaiah 11:3ff.; Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 1:10, 16:14; Ephesians 2:14)

    1 Hebrew: “for they shall” — (This is Christ’s doctrine of love from true faith, John 13:34ff.)

    2 Hebrew: “shall” — ([At the same time,] lawful governmental war protection, which comes from love toward one’s own, still remains unchanged in times of need according to Romans 13:4)

    5. Come now, you of the house of Jacob, let us * walk in the light of the Lord (Christ; that is, the converted Gentiles will admonish the Jews themselves to true recognition of God in Christ).

    * John 8:12

    Useful Applications

    I. DOCTRINE: Concerning the universal call of the Gentiles to the Kingdom of Christ through the preaching of the Apostles. (v. 2–4)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Isaiah 40:1–11 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications forthe Old Testament of the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete), Isaiah 40:1–8, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    I. A prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah, and His forerunner, John the Baptist, what he will preach. (v. 1–11)

    Annotated Translation

    1. “Comfort (with these words God speaks to the prophets, apostles, and their true successors, the servants of Christ, who carry out the office of the New Testament, that they ought to kindly comfort the people of God with these words), comfort My people!” says your God.

    2. “Speak * kindly with Jerusalem,1 and preach to her, that her hard service2 (Luther: “the Divine Service in the Old Testament”) has an end (that the burdensome Divine Services and the arduous exercises in the manifold ceremonies of the Mosaic Law have come to an end, that they are also redeemed from the curse and bane of the Law, as well as from the various accusations of the conscience), for her misdeeds are forgiven3 (for Christ’s sake), for she has received twofold (grace upon grace, John 1:16, Romans 5:20) from the hand of the Lord, for all4 her sins (Luther: “Namely, forgiveness of sins and freedom from the Law of Moses, that is, pure grace for sin, life for death,” etc.).

    (Zephaniah 3:18; Daniel 9:24; Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 9:8ff.)

    1 Hebrew: “Speak to Jerusalem in her heart” (that is, preach to her what will be comforting to her. See Genesis 34:3, 50:21; Judges 19:3; Hosea 2:14; Zephaniah 3:9).

    2 Hebrew: “Her hard (military) service” (her Divine Service, which she carried out in the army of God, the Israelite Church, according to the Levitical order, which was a hard yoke both in itself, and also on account of the frequent great judgments of wrath. See Acts 15:10; Deuteronomy 8:24ff.).

    3 Hebrew: “reconciled” [i.e., propitiated], see Leviticus 1:4

    4 Hebrew: “in” or “among all” — regardless of their greatness and number.

    3. There is * a voice of a preacher in the wilderness (namely, John the Baptist, who began the New Testament with his preaching and teaching), ‘Prepare (through true repentance and correction) for the Lord (the Messiah, who is true God with the Father and the Holy Spirit) the way (that He may take up lodging in your hearts through true faith), make a level path in the field for our God (that He may enter in among you freely and unhindered).

    * Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23 (Malachi 3:1)

    4.All valleys (all hearts that are oppressed by the burden of the Law) shall be exalted (be set right again through the preaching of the Gospel), and all mountains and hills (proud hearts and hypocritical work-saints) shall be made low (brought to the recognition of their sins, and their trust in their own works will be laid low in their hearts), and what is unlike shall be made even, and what is rough shall be made smooth (Christ will make everything fine and straight, in that all men must live by His grace alone and no one will have any advantage over the other, Acts 10:34–35);

    (Isaiah 42:16; Zephaniah 3:11ff.)

    5. for the glory of the Lord shall be revealed (in Christ and in all His works and miracles); and all flesh shall see it together (Jews and Gentiles, Colossians 3:11; Isaiah 66:23) for the mouth of the Lord has spoken (for Christ’s mouth is truly God’s mouth, therefore, whoever has heard Christ speak has heard God speak).

    (Isaiah 52:6–10; John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16)

    6. A voice says, “Preach!” (Christ will command His servants to preach.) And he (the servant of God) said, “What shall I preach?” (Answer, this:) “All * flesh is hay1 (all men, as they are now born after the fall into sin, are sinful and mortal, also unfit for all good, and cannot stand before God’s judgment), and all its goods (Luther: “All good deeds or good living which reason can do and does”) are as flowers in the field (therefore, they only ought to seek their righteousness and salvation in Christ alone, who is proclaimed to them in the Gospel).

    * Isaiah 51:12ff.; 1 Peter 1:24 (Matthew 6:30; James 1:10–11)

    1 Hebrew: “grass;” compare Psalm 37:2, as well as v. 7 here.

    7. The hay withers, the flower fades, for the Spirit of the Lord blows on them (when the Spirit of God tests the works of men who are not yet reborn, stirs their conscience, sharpens the Law, and thereby shines into the heart, then everything upon which they rely withers and falls apart, and all boasting lies down). Indeed, (all) the people are as hay (not only the wicked and godless people, but also the people of God are sinful, mortal, and perishable by nature).

    8. The hay withers, the flower fades, but the * Word our God (through which we are born anew and reborn to eternal life) remains forever.

    * Psalm 119:89; Luke 21:33; 1 Peter 1:25

    9. Zion, you preacher (by this are to be understood the holy apostles, who first preached the Gospel in Jerusalem and in the Jewish land, but afterward had preached it in the entire world, Luke 24:47, Acts 1:8)1, go up onto a high mountain (that your voice may be heard far and wide); Jerusalem, you preacher, lift up Your voice with power, lift it up and fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold, there is (Christ) your God (revealed in the flesh, 1 Timothy 3:16, who now Himself speaks with you in His assumed human nature, Isaiah 52:6).

    (Matthew 10:27; Romans 10:18; Malachi 3:1)

    1 † The Hebrew word generally means to proclaim a joyful message. See Isaiah 52:7.

    10. For behold, the Lord YHWH (Christ, the Chief Shepherd of His Church, 1 Peter 5:4) comes with power1 (to content against the devil and everything that hinders and prevents us from salvation, and to cast out the prince of this world, John 12:31), and His arm is glorious (He will powerfully gather together a kingdom out of the human race in which He will rule with His Word and Spirit). Behold, His reward (His gift of grace, which He has acquired by His obedience and suffering) is with Him, and His * recompense (according to which He will do good to believers and will punish unbelievers) is before Him.

    * Romans 2:6ff. (Isaiah 62:11; Revelation 22:12; 1 John 3:8)

    1 Hebrew: alternatively, “against the powerful,” cf. Luke 11:21

    11. He will shepherd His flock as * a Shepherd; He will gather the (tender, young) lambs together in His arms and carry them in His bosom, and lead the sheep mothers (He will faithfully tend the weak sheep1).

    * John 10:11–12ff. (Psalm 23:2; Ezekiel 34:11–12, 23; Micah 5:3)

    1 † Those who understand the “sheep mothers” as the faithful teachers come closer to the purpose and the metaphor.

    Useful Applications

    I. DOCTRINE: That we obtain forgiveness of sins, comfort, salvation, and blessedness from Jesus Christ through faith in His Holy Word. (v. 1, 2–10).

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Isaiah 29:17–24 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Old Testament Reading for the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity, Isaiah 29:16–24, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    IV. The Call of the Gentiles (Isaiah 29:17–24)

    17. Now, is it not a little while until Lebanon should become a [fruitful] field , and the field be reckoned as a forest?

    Compare Isaiah 32:15.

    By “Lebanon” the Jews are understood, as Luther says, “because the city of Jerusalem was built from Lebanon.” Their ancestors were a beautiful fruitful field at the time of the Old Testament, as Lebanon; however, they had become as a cut down forest and an unfruitful field in the New Testament because of their repudiation of the Gospel. However, on the other hand, by the field the Gentiles are to be understood, who previously, in the time of the Old Testament, were an unfruitful field; however, in the New Testament, they have become a beautiful fruitful field, that is, through Christ they have been enlightened, converted, and made fruitful unto good works.

    The prophetic way of speaking often compares the heathen with Lebanon (see Song of Songs 4:8; Isaiah 60:13), according to which, the reception of the Gentiles and the rejection of the Jews from the Church would here be described (see 18f.).

    18. For at that time the deaf (the Gentiles, who are spiritual deaf) shall hear the words of the book (of the Gospel, see v. 11) and the eyes of the blind (those who are spiritually blind) will see out of the darkness and gloom (they will be enlightened by the Holy Spirit, and will know rightly God in Christ from the Word of the Gospel).

    Compare Isaiah 35:5; 42:7; 60:1; Ephesians 3:9.

    19. And the wretched will once again have joy in the Lord, and the poor among men will be happy in the Holy One (in) Israel (the poor will have the Gospel preached to their comfort and joy of the heart, Matthew 11:5).

    Compare Isaiah 61:1ff; 51:3, 11; Psalm 22:27.

    Hebrew: Joy over strangers.

    20. When the tyrant has an end, and the scoffers are extinguished, and all who watch to cause trouble (Luther: “false doctrine and works”) are destroyed .

    Compare Isaiah 9:4ff.; Psalm 110:2, 5; Zephaniah 3:18.

    21. Who make the people sin through preaching (those who preach only human trifles, or who flatter their hearers, and make cushions for them under their arms and pillows for their heads, Isaiah 13:18) and hunt the one who rebukes them in the gate (publicly and without fear), who turn aside from righteousness by lies (they turn themselves away from the truth by lies, and from unrighteousness by injustice).

    See Matthew 15:3ff.; Amos 5:10.

    Hebrew: through (the oral forthplanted) Word.

    Hebrew: they entice the righteous man (thereby seducing him from good to evil) through vain things (human ordinances).

    22. Therefore, says the Lord, the one who has redeemed Abraham (and led him out out of the idolatrous Ur in Chaldea, Genesis 11:31, 12:1), to the house of Jacob (those according to the Spirit) thus: “Jacob shall no more be disgraced, and his countenance shall no more be ashamed (nor will it become pale when they are converted and steadfastly believe in Christ).

    Compare Isaiah 41:8ff.; Genesis 48:16.

    Hebrew: Now (or from now on).

    Hebrew: Now no more.

    23. For when they see their children, the work of my hands (those I have given rebirth to by water and the Spirit, John 3:5) among them, they will hallow My name, and they will fear (Me) the Holy One in Jacob and (Me) the God of Israel.

    Compare Isaiah 42:21ff.; Psalm 100:3; 2 Corinthians 9:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:7ff.

    Hebrew: at those who press with power (frequently), Matthew 11:12.

    24. For those who had who had an erring spirit, will receive understanding, and those who complain (Luther: “the useless chatterers, such as the enthusiasts who boast of a vain spirit” ) will allow themselves to be taught (although they indeed had previously sharply fought for their errors).

    Compare Acts 9:5ff.; 2 Corinthians 10:15.

    Hebrew: the rebellious murmurers, see John 6:52, 61; Acts 17:32; 1 Corinthians 1:24ff.

    Useful Applications

    IV. Doctrine/Teaching: That through the Word of the Gospel, those men who receive it in faith will be graced, quickened, and made joyful, v. 18–19; Doctrine/Teaching: That on the other hand, the despising of the [Gospel] causes the judgement of blindness, v. 10ff.; Comfort: That God will hold His Christian people in grace, if they only faithfully abide by and with His Word, v. 22f.