This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. Isaiah concludes the farming parable by attributing all agricultural wisdom to God. This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts (gam-zot me'et Yahweh tseva'ot yats'ah, גַּם־זֹאת מֵאֵת יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת יָצָאָה, this also from the LORD of hosts goes forth)—gam-zot (גַּם־זֹאת, this also) emphasizes everything discussed (plowing, planting, threshing) originates from God. Farmers don't originate wisdom; they receive it from the LORD of hosts (Yahweh tseva'ot, יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת), sovereign over all powers.
Which is wonderful in counsel (hiflah etsah, הִפְלִיא עֵצָה, made wonderful counsel)—pele (פֶּלֶא) means wonder, marvel, miracle. God's counsel/wisdom is beyond human comprehension (Isaiah 9:6 calls Messiah "Wonderful, Counsellor"). And excellent in working (higdil tushiyyah, הִגְדִּיל תּוּשִׁיָּה, made great sound wisdom/effective working). Tushiyyah (תּוּשִׁיָּה) means sound wisdom, effective action—God's plans actually work perfectly. Romans 11:33-36 praises God's unsearchable wisdom. If God gives farmers such precise wisdom about crops, how much more wisely does He handle souls! His counsel regarding discipline, growth, and harvest is wonderful; His working is excellent—perfectly accomplishing redemptive purposes.
Historical Context
This verse climaxes Isaiah 28, answering the scoffers (vv.9-10, 14-15). They mocked God's "precept upon precept" teaching as simplistic. Isaiah's parable demonstrates divine wisdom in graduated, differentiated methods—not simplistic but sophisticated, calibrated to each situation. God's counsel through prophets seemed strange (v.21), but like farming wisdom, it reflects perfect understanding. New Testament confirms this: God's "foolishness" is wiser than human wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:25). The cross seemed foolish but accomplished salvation wondrously. Pastoral ministry requires similar wisdom—knowing when to plow (confront sin), plant (teach), water (encourage), thresh (discipline), each according to spiritual state.
Questions for Reflection
How does recognizing that all wisdom 'cometh forth from the LORD' affect your confidence in His methods with you?
In what ways have you seen God's 'wonderful counsel' and 'excellent working' in retrospect, even when His ways seemed strange at the time?
How should this chapter's conclusion shape your response when God's dealings seem harsh, strange, or incomprehensible?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. Isaiah concludes the farming parable by attributing all agricultural wisdom to God. This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts (gam-zot me'et Yahweh tseva'ot yats'ah, גַּם־זֹאת מֵאֵת יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת יָצָאָה, this also from the LORD of hosts goes forth)—gam-zot (גַּם־זֹאת, this also) emphasizes everything discussed (plowing, planting, threshing) originates from God. Farmers don't originate wisdom; they receive it from the LORD of hosts (Yahweh tseva'ot, יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת), sovereign over all powers.
Which is wonderful in counsel (hiflah etsah, הִפְלִיא עֵצָה, made wonderful counsel)—pele (פֶּלֶא) means wonder, marvel, miracle. God's counsel/wisdom is beyond human comprehension (Isaiah 9:6 calls Messiah "Wonderful, Counsellor"). And excellent in working (higdil tushiyyah, הִגְדִּיל תּוּשִׁיָּה, made great sound wisdom/effective working). Tushiyyah (תּוּשִׁיָּה) means sound wisdom, effective action—God's plans actually work perfectly. Romans 11:33-36 praises God's unsearchable wisdom. If God gives farmers such precise wisdom about crops, how much more wisely does He handle souls! His counsel regarding discipline, growth, and harvest is wonderful; His working is excellent—perfectly accomplishing redemptive purposes.