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Isaiah 30:20
Verse
Context
God Will Be Gracious
19O people in Zion who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will surely be gracious when you cry for help; when He hears, He will answer you.20The Lord will give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, but your Teacher will no longer hide Himself—with your own eyes you will see Him.
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Though the Lord "Though Jehovah" - For אדני Adonai, sixteen MSS. and three editions have יהוה Yehovah, many of De Rossi's have the same reading; all my own have יהוה Yehovah.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Rather, "The Lord will give"; the "though" is not in the original. bread of adversity--He will not deny you food enough to save you in your adversity (Kg1 22:27; Psa 127:2). be removed--rather, "hide themselves"; they shall no more be forced to hide themselves from persecution, but shall be openly received with reverence [MAURER]. Contrast with this Psa 74:9; Amo 8:11.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction,.... Either at this present time, when the city was besieged by Sennacherib; or when it should be besieged by the Chaldeans, when adversity was their bread, and affliction their water; or when they had only bread and water in their adversity and affliction; or a famine of bread and water, as is common in times of a siege. It may refer to the poor, and mean, and afflicted state of the people of God, in the first times of the Gospel especially: yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more; or, "thy rain" (b), as some interpret it; one and the same word signifies both rain and a teacher, because doctrine from the mouth of a teacher drops like rain upon the tender herb, and as showers on the grass; and is to be understood, not merely in a literal sense, of rain, and fruitfulness by it, in opposition to penury and famine for want of it; but of rain of spiritual doctrine; and so the sense is much the same as if it was rendered teachers; that though the people of God should be attended with afflictions, yet they should have spiritual consolation; and though they might have a famine of bread and water, yet not of hearing the word of the Lord; their teachers should not be removed from them, as they had formerly been, perhaps in the time of Ahaz: or "take wing" (c), and fly away from them, as the word signifies, being scared by persecutors; so the prophets in the time of Ahab were forced to fly, and were hid by fifty in a cave. The word here used has in the Arabic language the signification of hiding, as Maimonides (d) from Aben Ganach has observed; and so may be read, "thy teachers shall not be hidden any more"; things being hidden under wings; see Psa 17:8, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers; in their proper place, doing the work of their office: it denotes not a bare seeing them with their bodily eyes, but a seeing them with pleasure and delight, a wistfully looking at them, and a diligent and attentive observance of what they said. Some understand these teachers of Hezekiah and his princes, as Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and Abendana; others of the priests and prophets in his time, the principal of which was Isaiah; others of the prophets a little before, in, and after the Babylonish captivity; it may be applied to John the Baptist, Christ, and his apostles, and other Gospel ministers. Jarchi interprets it of God himself, who teaches to profit, and who would not hide his face from his people; the Targum, of the Shechinah not removing from the sanctuary, but being seen there; and being in the plural number, may denote all the three Persons. (b) "pluvia tua", some in Munster, Calvin; so Ben Melech interprets it; and the same in the next clause. (c) "non avolabit", Piscator; "ad verb. alabitur", Forerius. (d) More Nevochim, par. 1. cap. 43. p. 61. So "operuit, sub alis tutatus est", Castel. col. 1760.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
30:20 adversity for food and suffering for drink: A city under enemy siege for a long time would eventually be overcome by starvation and disease. God did not intend that this disaster should destroy the people of Jerusalem, rather that it would be a tool to teach them.
Isaiah 30:20
God Will Be Gracious
19O people in Zion who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will surely be gracious when you cry for help; when He hears, He will answer you.20The Lord will give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, but your Teacher will no longer hide Himself—with your own eyes you will see Him.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
To Know God's Will and Do It
By William MacDonald1.8K40:10God's Will1SA 3:1PSA 101:2ISA 30:20MRK 1:19MRK 10:29ROM 12:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance in making decisions. He encourages listeners to trust that God has better plans for them than they can imagine. The speaker shares personal stories and biblical references to illustrate how God guides and directs His people. He also emphasizes the need to commit oneself fully to the Lord and seek His wisdom through prayer and reading the Bible.
Listening, Unburdening and Worshipping
By Zac Poonen1.5K57:13WorshipISA 30:15ISA 30:18ISA 30:201CO 4:2In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a disciplined tongue and using words to help needy people. He encourages listeners to wake up in the morning and listen to God as a disciple. The speaker also highlights the importance of being trustworthy stewards of God's mysteries and doing what God tells us. He mentions the example of Mary sitting at Jesus' feet to listen and unburdening herself to the Lord. Overall, the sermon emphasizes the power of God's word and the need to control our tongues and overcome anger.
Letter 192.
By James Bourne0JOS 24:15ISA 30:20ROM 8:371CO 15:58EPH 6:18James Bourne addresses the distracted state of the church, urging them to seek a constant ministry focused on the faith once delivered unto the saints, rather than on disputes over chapel rights and headship. He warns of the danger of not coming to a decision in the fear of God, emphasizing the need to endure reproach for the sake of eternal life. Bourne encourages spiritual growth, likening it to reaping the fruits of labor, and urges vigilance against allowing distractions to choke the word of God's truth.
As Many as Are Led by the Spirit of God
By A.B. Simpson0Guidance of the Holy SpiritSpiritual LeadershipPSA 91:1ISA 30:20JHN 10:27JHN 14:26ACT 1:8ROM 8:141CO 2:12GAL 5:18EPH 4:301TH 5:19A.B. Simpson emphasizes the vital role of the Holy Spirit as our Guide and Leader, who directs us in prayer, service, and new experiences while also providing rest and deeper understanding in our spiritual journey. He highlights the importance of being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading, which can sometimes push us forward and at other times call us to pause and reflect. Simpson asserts that denying the personal guidance of the Holy Spirit undermines the promise that God's children will hear His voice and be led in the right path. The Holy Spirit is portrayed as our Counselor and Friend, essential for navigating the complexities of faith and life.
The Importance of a Prophetic Ministry
By Zac Poonen0Prophetic MinistryChurch BalanceISA 30:20Zac Poonen emphasizes the critical role of prophetic ministry in guiding believers back to the path of truth, as illustrated in Isaiah 30:20-21. He points out that many churches today have strayed either to the right or left of God's truth, often focusing too heavily on either the gifts or the fruit of the Spirit, neglecting a balanced understanding of Scripture. Poonen highlights the example of Old Testament prophets like Jeremiah and Hosea, who delivered messages tailored to the needs of their time, demonstrating that true prophets speak God's corrective word without concern for popularity. He argues that modern preachers often avoid difficult truths to maintain their honor, while prophetic voices are essential for addressing imbalances within the church. The sermon calls for a renewed appreciation for prophetic ministry that challenges and corrects the church's direction.
Letter 98
By James Bourne0GEN 28:16DEU 32:4PSA 65:5ISA 30:20JER 12:12CO 7:11James Bourne preaches to Mr. T. 0. about the importance of experiencing God's judgments and discipline, which reveal the hidden sins and inventions of our hearts. Through this communion with God, we are led to acknowledge His righteousness and sovereignty, even in times of fear and trembling. Bourne encourages embracing God's discipline as a means to grow in grace, knowledge, and spiritual maturity, despite the struggles and terrors that may accompany it.
Divine Longings Over the Foolish.
By Horatius Bonar0Divine WisdomHuman UnteachablenessDEU 32:29PRO 1:7ISA 30:20JAS 1:5Horatius Bonar emphasizes God's deep yearning for humanity to attain wisdom, expressing His sorrow over our ignorance and unteachableness. He explains that while God desires to impart His wisdom to us, our resistance and preference for self-defined wisdom often hinder this process. Bonar outlines God's provisions for wisdom, including the Scriptures as our lesson, Christ as our school, and the Holy Spirit as our teacher, urging us to submit to divine instruction. He highlights that God’s compassion drives Him to provide the means for us to become wise, and He earnestly desires that we embrace this wisdom. Ultimately, Bonar calls us to recognize our need for divine teaching and to enroll as students in God's school of wisdom.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Though the Lord "Though Jehovah" - For אדני Adonai, sixteen MSS. and three editions have יהוה Yehovah, many of De Rossi's have the same reading; all my own have יהוה Yehovah.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Rather, "The Lord will give"; the "though" is not in the original. bread of adversity--He will not deny you food enough to save you in your adversity (Kg1 22:27; Psa 127:2). be removed--rather, "hide themselves"; they shall no more be forced to hide themselves from persecution, but shall be openly received with reverence [MAURER]. Contrast with this Psa 74:9; Amo 8:11.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction,.... Either at this present time, when the city was besieged by Sennacherib; or when it should be besieged by the Chaldeans, when adversity was their bread, and affliction their water; or when they had only bread and water in their adversity and affliction; or a famine of bread and water, as is common in times of a siege. It may refer to the poor, and mean, and afflicted state of the people of God, in the first times of the Gospel especially: yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more; or, "thy rain" (b), as some interpret it; one and the same word signifies both rain and a teacher, because doctrine from the mouth of a teacher drops like rain upon the tender herb, and as showers on the grass; and is to be understood, not merely in a literal sense, of rain, and fruitfulness by it, in opposition to penury and famine for want of it; but of rain of spiritual doctrine; and so the sense is much the same as if it was rendered teachers; that though the people of God should be attended with afflictions, yet they should have spiritual consolation; and though they might have a famine of bread and water, yet not of hearing the word of the Lord; their teachers should not be removed from them, as they had formerly been, perhaps in the time of Ahaz: or "take wing" (c), and fly away from them, as the word signifies, being scared by persecutors; so the prophets in the time of Ahab were forced to fly, and were hid by fifty in a cave. The word here used has in the Arabic language the signification of hiding, as Maimonides (d) from Aben Ganach has observed; and so may be read, "thy teachers shall not be hidden any more"; things being hidden under wings; see Psa 17:8, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers; in their proper place, doing the work of their office: it denotes not a bare seeing them with their bodily eyes, but a seeing them with pleasure and delight, a wistfully looking at them, and a diligent and attentive observance of what they said. Some understand these teachers of Hezekiah and his princes, as Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and Abendana; others of the priests and prophets in his time, the principal of which was Isaiah; others of the prophets a little before, in, and after the Babylonish captivity; it may be applied to John the Baptist, Christ, and his apostles, and other Gospel ministers. Jarchi interprets it of God himself, who teaches to profit, and who would not hide his face from his people; the Targum, of the Shechinah not removing from the sanctuary, but being seen there; and being in the plural number, may denote all the three Persons. (b) "pluvia tua", some in Munster, Calvin; so Ben Melech interprets it; and the same in the next clause. (c) "non avolabit", Piscator; "ad verb. alabitur", Forerius. (d) More Nevochim, par. 1. cap. 43. p. 61. So "operuit, sub alis tutatus est", Castel. col. 1760.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
30:20 adversity for food and suffering for drink: A city under enemy siege for a long time would eventually be overcome by starvation and disease. God did not intend that this disaster should destroy the people of Jerusalem, rather that it would be a tool to teach them.