Isaiah 30:23-25 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Then shall he give the rain of thy seed— And he shall give rain for thy seed. Lowth. It appears very plainly from the latter end of the 25th verse, and from the 26th, that the prophet here is not to be understood literally, but figuratively, and that the words contain a splendid promise of pure and abundant spiritual pasture; which is exhibited in four articles, and closed with a sign of the time when this benefit should be conferred upon the church. The first article is, that the Lord would give rain for the seed sown, and a great increase of bread; where, though the literal sense may not be excluded, yet the figurative meaning is, that God would supply the spiritual sowing, (that is to say, pure and sound instruction in the word of righteousness, to be made by spiritual sowers, teachers properly furnished from the word of truth) with a copious blessing, and the heavenly grace of his Holy Spirit, so that a great produce of all spiritual graces should follow from it. See ch. Isaiah 32:15 and Zechariah 10:1; Zechariah 14:17. The next article is, that the cattle in those times should feed in large pastures. The literal meaning is plain: the mystical is, that the flock of the Lord should find an abundance to exercise themselves in the undertaking and search after spiritual things; not only for the necessities of their spiritual life, but for their delight and satisfaction in that word of God especially, where there is sufficient for the spiritual repast of every true believer. The third article still runs in the same metaphor; the oxen likewise, &c. See ch. Isaiah 32:20. The word עבדי obedei, rendered ear in this verse signifies to plough or till, which was done in those countries by oxen or asses. See Boch. Hieroz. pars i. lib. ii. c. 3. Instead of clean, Vitringa prefers savoury provender; such as was of a choicer kind, and either mixed with salt, or some kind of herbs, which rendered it more palatable to the animals. The mystical signification is, that the ministers labouring in the word and doctrine, both of superior and inferior order, should be honestly supported, and themselves find abundant supply of sound and wholesome words for the work of the ministry. See 1 Corinthians 9:9; 1 Corinthians 9:27. 1 Timothy 5:17-18. The fourth article is, Isaiah 30:25 that there should be upon every high mountain, &c. rivers and streams of water; which cannot be understood literally: the mystical meaning is, that in all the more celebrated places, whether of kingdoms or cities, there should be synagogues, public schools, or oratories, in which the word of God, and the doctrine of pure religion, should be copiously taught; so that the lovers of true wisdom might there quench their thirst, and apply the waters of sound instruction to their use. So the metaphor is used, ch. Isaiah 35:6 Isaiah 41:18. The time in which these benefits should be conferred upon the church is denoted by this character, Isaiah 30:25. In the day of the great slaughter, when the towers shall fall; whereby a certain remarkable period is denoted, in which God would take severe vengeance upon the enemies of his church, with the destruction of many, and those the chief and greatest personages; for all interpreters are agreed, that these are metaphorically understood by towers. See ch. Isaiah 2:15. The period, in its first and literal sense, is to be applied to the times of the Maccabees; but, in its secondary and full sense, to the kingdom of Jesus Christ. See Vitringa.