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.
PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS 