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Isaiah 28:26 meaning

God is the ultimate source of all wisdom and instruction.

Isaiah was a prophet in the eighth century BC who ministered primarily in the southern kingdom of Judah, speaking God’s truth under the reigns of several kings between approximately 740 BC and 681 BC. In this section of his writing, he uses an agricultural illustration to show that wisdom for even the simplest tasks ultimately comes from the Lord. This earthly example reveals that farmers do not act on their own cleverness, but rather respond to divine instruction. Thus, when Isaiah says, “For his God instructs and teaches him properly.” (v.26), he underscores the farmer’s reliance on wisdom that only God can supply, an understanding that God directly cultivates in His people.

In a deeper sense, this verse reminds us that God is the wellspring of guidance for every area of life. While Isaiah references the farmer, the principle applies to anyone seeking direction or discernment in both mundane and monumental decisions. The notion that God offers knowledge to those who seek it is echoed by the Apostle James, who told believers that if any of them lacks wisdom, they should ask God, who gives generously without reproach (James 1:5). Here, Isaiah drives home the point that all sound instruction—be it about planting crops, nurturing faith, or making life choices—originates from the Lord’s perfect insight.

Furthermore, by emphasizing that God teaches “properly,” the verse indicates that the Creator imparts truth in a timely and fitting manner. This ties into the broader biblical narrative where God, through prophets and ultimately through Christ, reveals exactly what His people need to know (Hebrews 1:1-2). It suggests that if we remain teachable and humble, we will discover that the Lord’s providence is not sporadic, but constant and precise, guiding us through each season of life, much like a farmer navigating the planting and harvesting cycle.

Isaiah 28:26