Isaiah 30:20

And [though] the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

And though the Lord {H136} give {H5414} you the bread {H3899} of adversity {H6862}, and the water {H4325} of affliction {H3906}, yet shall not thy teachers {H3384} be removed into a corner {H3670} any more, but thine eyes {H5869} shall see {H7200} thy teachers {H3384}:

Though Adonai may give you but bread and water, and not very much of that; your teacher will no longer hide himself, but with your own eyes you will see your teacher.

The 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.

And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be hidden anymore, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers;

Isaiah 30:20 KJV offers a profound promise of divine guidance and clarity even amidst times of severe hardship and discipline. This verse is part of a larger prophecy where the prophet Isaiah delivers messages of both judgment and ultimate restoration to the people of Judah.

Context of Isaiah 30:20

Chapter 30 of Isaiah primarily condemns Judah's reliance on alliances with Egypt rather than trusting in the Lord for their protection against Assyria. The preceding verses detail God's patience and desire to show mercy, even as He announces the consequences of their disobedience. The "bread of adversity" and "water of affliction" are metaphors for the severe trials and suffering they would experience due to their rebellion. However, even in this context of deserved judgment, God's ultimate intention is redemptive, promising a future where His people will no longer be left without clear spiritual direction.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Discipline and Restoration: The verse acknowledges that God allows or brings about difficult circumstances ("bread of adversity, and the water of affliction") as a form of discipline. Yet, this discipline is not an end in itself but a means to bring about repentance and a renewed relationship, leading to restoration and clear spiritual insight. This echoes the principle that the Lord disciplines those He loves.
  • Unveiled Spiritual Guidance: The core promise is that their "teachers shall not be removed into a corner any more." This signifies an end to periods where prophetic voices were scarce, silenced, or hidden. Instead, "thine eyes shall see thy teachers," indicating direct, unobstructed access to divine truth and instruction. This could refer to human prophets and spiritual leaders, or ultimately, God Himself as the supreme Teacher.
  • Hope Amidst Hardship: Even when facing the deepest trials, the verse offers a powerful message of hope. It assures believers that God will not abandon them to confusion but will make His will and way clear.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "teachers" (מֹרֶיךָ - moreykha) can refer to human instructors, but in a broader sense, it encompasses divine instruction and guidance, particularly through prophets or the Law (Torah). The phrase "removed into a corner" implies being hidden, concealed, or made inaccessible, suggesting a time when divine revelation or righteous leadership was scarce or suppressed. The promise is that this period of spiritual famine will end, and God's instruction will be clearly visible and accessible.

Practical Application

For believers today, Isaiah 30:20 offers several comforting and challenging applications:

  • Enduring Adversity: It reminds us that periods of "adversity" and "affliction" may be part of God's plan, often serving to refine our faith and draw us closer to Him.
  • Seeking Divine Wisdom: The verse encourages us to trust that even in our darkest moments, God will provide the necessary spiritual guidance. This guidance comes through His Word (Psalm 119:105), the Holy Spirit, and wise counsel from godly leaders.
  • Assurance of Clarity: It assures us that God desires for us to understand His will. We can pray for discernment and expect that He will make His path clear, preventing us from being lost in spiritual confusion. This promise points to a future reality where all will have a direct knowledge of God, as envisioned in the new covenant.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 80:5

    Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.

  • 1 Kings 22:27

    And say, Thus saith the king, Put this [fellow] in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.

  • Amos 8:11

    ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

  • Amos 8:12

    And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find [it].

  • Acts 14:22

    Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

  • Psalms 127:2

    [It is] vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: [for] so he giveth his beloved sleep.

  • Psalms 74:9

    We see not our signs: [there is] no more any prophet: neither [is there] among us any that knoweth how long.

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