Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 29:24
They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
24. The meaning is that even the least capable and most refractory classes of the community shall willingly subject themselves to the teaching of revelation.
understanding and doctrine are words characteristic of the Hebrew Wisdom Literature (Isa 28:29).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
They also that erred in spirit – (see Isa 29:9-10).
Shall learn doctrine – When this would occur the prophet does not state. It may be intended to denote the times of Hezekiah; or the times subsequent to the captivity; or possibly it may refer to the times under the Messiah. All that the prophet teaches is, that at some future period in the history of the Jews, there would be such a reform that they should be regarded as the worthy descendants of the pious patriarch Jacob.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
They also that erred in spirit; those Gentiles whose spirits or minds were ignorant of and erred from Gods truth, and who were led aside by a lying spirit, or by the spirit of error and delusion, to idolatry, and all manner of impiety,
Shall come to understanding; shall come to the knowledge of the truth.
They that murmured shall learn doctrine; they that would not receive the doctrine of God, but murmured at Gods faithful prophets and teachers, who delivered it, which was the practice of divers, both Jews and Gentiles, shall now learn doctrine, and receive Gods truth in the love of it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
24. They . . . that erred(Isa 28:7).
learn doctrinerather,”shall receive discipline” or “instruction.””Murmuring” was the characteristic of Israel’s rebellionagainst God (Exo 16:8; Psa 106:25).This shall be so no more. Chastisements, and, in HORSLEY’Sview, the piety of the Gentiles provoking the Jews to holy jealousy(Rom 11:11; Rom 11:14),shall then produce the desired effect.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
They also that erred in spirit,…. In judgment, and in spiritual things; as the Jews have done, ever since the Messiah’s coming, being given up to a spirit of error, as the Targum, on
Isa 29:10 calls it; they have erred concerning the Scriptures, and the prophecies of them; concerning the Messiah, his work and office; concerning his truths and his ordinances, and by preferring their traditions to the word of God: but these
shall come to understanding; to a spiritual understanding of Christ, and salvation by him; of his Gospel, and the doctrines of it; as well as of themselves, their state and condition:
and they that murmured; at Christ, and what was delivered by him; at the reception of sinners by him; at the calling of the Gentiles; and at the providence of God that have attended them, ever since their rejection of the true Messiah:
shall learn doctrine; the doctrine of the Messiah; not the law, as Kimchi and Ben Melech; but the Gospel, which Christ “received” from his Father, as the word f used signifies, and his disciples received from him, and the church has received from them, and has been transmitted to us Gentiles, and will be to the Jews in the latter day, who will learn the true knowledge of it.
f a “capere, accipere, est id quod aliquis sibi sumit dicendum”, Gusset. Ebr. Comment. p. 443.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
24. Then shall the erring in spirit learn wisdom. He again repeats that promise which he formerly noticed briefly; for so long as the understandings of men shall be struck with ignorance and blindness, even though they enjoy abundance of every kind of blessings, yet they are always surrounded and besieged by ruin. In making preparation for the restoration of the Church, the Lord therefore enlightens by his word, and illuminates by the light of understanding, his own people, who formerly wandered astray in darkness. He does this by the secret influence of the Spirit; for it would be of little value to be taught by the external word, if he did not also instruct our hearts inwardly.
And the murmurers shall learn doctrine. Some commentators translate רוגנים ( rōgĕnīm) “whisperers,” and others, “wanderers.” But it means that those who formerly murmured against the prophets, and could not endure their warnings, would be obedient and submissive; and therefore I have chosen to render it murmurers. Hence we see how wonderful is the mercy of God, who brings back into the path those who were highly unworthy, and makes them partakers of so great blessings. Let us carefully ponder this subject in private. Is there any one of us that has not sometimes “murmured” against God, and despised pure doctrine? Nay, more, if God had not softened the obstinate, and brought them mildly to obey, nearly the whole human race would have perished in their madness.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(24) They that murmured shall learn doctrine.Better, instruction. The word is prominent in the sapiential books of Israel, and is therefore adapted to describe the process of growth and education that followed on conversion. The word, too, murmured is noticeable, as occurring only in Deu. 1:27; Psa. 106:25, of which its use here may be an echo.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
REFLECTIONS
MY soul! learn from Jerusalem’s transgressions, and from Jerusalem’s sorrow, how to form proper conceptions of thy unworthiness, and the Lord’s chastisement of thy sins. Surely, as in a mirror, mayest thou behold thy features, and learn from both, the sweet instructions of thy God. Well mayest thou take up the language of the Apostle, and say, what then, are we better than they? No, in no wise: for he hath proved both Jews and Gentiles all under sin.
Blessed Lamb of God! it is thou, and thou only, that art the burden-bearer of thy people’s sins, and hast taken them away by thy blood. Oh! for grace to behold thee as the sole cause of Jehovah’s pardoning love, having made our peace by the blood of the cross. And oh! for grace to plead in thee, and by thee, the whole blessings of the covenant promised to Abraham, that no faces of Israel’s true seed may gather paleness. It is in thee, blessed Jesus, that all nations shall be blessed. Out of thee, there can be no blessing; but in thee, all blessings to Jacob’s seed abound. May my soul live upon thee and thy fulness, and may all the redeemed sanctify thy name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and fear the God of Israel.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Isa 29:24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
Ver. 24. They also that erred in spirit. ] Erroneous opinions, and muttering against ministers, are here instanced as two special obstacles to effectual conversion. Those that relinquish not these two evils are far enough from God’s kingdom, and yet today nothing is more ordinary; hence so few converts, so many apostates.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
shall come, &c. = shall know discernment.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
also: Isa 29:10, Isa 29:11, Isa 28:7, Zec 12:10, Mat 21:28-32, Luk 7:47, Luk 15:17-19, Act 2:37, Act 6:7, Act 9:19, Act 9:20, 1Co 6:11, 1Ti 1:13-15, Rev 20:2, Rev 20:3
come to understanding: Heb. know understanding
Reciprocal: Gen 49:24 – the mighty Isa 17:7 – General Isa 29:18 – the deaf Isa 32:3 – General Isa 32:4 – heart Isa 42:16 – I will bring Isa 66:19 – that have Luk 1:17 – and the
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
29:24 They also that erred in spirit {r} shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
(r) Signifying that unless God gives understanding and knowledge, man cannot but still err and murmur against him.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Those who are the work of God’s hands, the Israelites, will demonstrate steadfastness in their lives. Their formerly incorrect understanding will be straightened out. Those who have been critical, feeling superior, will accept instruction. Deliverance leads to praise, which results in understanding, just as lack of understanding leads to pride resulting in judgment.
"Just as Abraham was separated from the human race that was sunk in heathenism, to become the ancestor of a nation of Jehovah, so would a remnant be separated from the great mass of Israel that was sunk in apostasy from Jehovah; and this remnant would be the foundation of a holy community well pleasing to God." [Note: Delitzsch, 2:25.]
When will all this happen? It will happen in "just a little while" (Isa 29:17), "on that day" (Isa 29:18), a day yet future but not specifically identified in the context. Since it has not happened yet, and since similar changes accompany Jesus Christ’s millennial reign, that seems to be the day in view.
"The Redeemer will surely bring to pass his perfect plan for Israel, and forge them into a godly and reverent people, after they have repented and opened their hearts to the truth of Christ." [Note: Archer, p. 630.]
In the next three "woes" (chs. 30-33) Isaiah became more specific. In the first three (chs. 28-29) he stressed principles of God’s dealings with His people, but in these last three (chs. 30-33) he applied the principles to the historical situation they faced. However, there is a blending of historical and eschatological emphases in these "woes."