Isaiah 1:19
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 6
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תֹּאב֖וּ
If ye be willing
H14
תֹּאב֖וּ
If ye be willing
Strong's:
H14
Word #:
2 of 6
to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent
וּשְׁמַעְתֶּ֑ם
and obedient
H8085
וּשְׁמַעְתֶּ֑ם
and obedient
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
3 of 6
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
ט֥וּב
the good
H2898
ט֥וּב
the good
Strong's:
H2898
Word #:
4 of 6
good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the best), beauty, gladness, welfare
Cross References
Isaiah 3:10Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.Joel 2:26And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.Hebrews 5:9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Historical Context
This echoes Deuteronomy 30:15-20's choice between life and death. For Judah facing Assyrian threat, obedience promised temporal security; typologically, it points to Christ's kingdom blessings.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we reconcile divine sovereignty in salvation with the call to willing obedience?
- What 'good of the land' does God promise those who walk in covenant faithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The conditional promise 'if ye be willing and obedient' links covenant blessing to responsive faith, reflecting Deuteronomic theology (Deuteronomy 28). The phrase 'eat the good of the land' evokes Edenic provision and anticipates eschatological restoration. While Reformed theology emphasizes monergistic salvation, it affirms that genuine faith evidences itself through willing obedience, not meriting salvation but demonstrating its reality (James 2:14-26).