Isaiah 1:19 kjv

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

Isaiah 1:19 nkjv

If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;

Isaiah 1:19 niv

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;

Isaiah 1:19 esv

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

Isaiah 1:19 nlt

If you will only obey me,
you will have plenty to eat.

Isaiah 1 verses

Isaiah 1 19 Meaning

Isaiah 1:19 presents a conditional promise from God to His people. It declares that if they respond to His call with a willing heart and actively obey His commands, they will experience and enjoy the rich blessings and prosperity associated with their covenant relationship, specifically referring to the physical land. This verse highlights God's unwavering desire for their restoration and offers a clear choice between covenant blessing through obedience and dire consequences through rebellion.

Isaiah 1 19 Context

Isaiah chapter 1 serves as an overarching indictment, often termed a "great lawsuit" (or "riv," meaning legal dispute), against Judah for their spiritual rebellion and moral corruption. The chapter opens with a profound denunciation of Israel's apostasy, portraying them as rebellious children who have abandoned the Lord (v. 2-6). It vividly describes the devastation that has come upon the land as a consequence of their sin (v. 7-9). God then scorns their hypocritical sacrifices and religious rituals, emphasizing that He desires true righteousness, justice, and compassion over empty offerings (v. 10-17). Amidst this severe indictment, God offers an astounding invitation to repentance and cleansing in verse 18, declaring that sins, though crimson, can become white as snow. Verse 19, immediately following this radical offer, clarifies the choice set before them: genuine change of heart and behavior will lead to covenant blessings, while persistent refusal will result in consumption by the sword, a divine judgment (v. 20). Thus, Isaiah 1:19 is a critical turning point, presenting the only path to avert utter destruction and re-enter God's favor.

Isaiah 1 19 Word analysis

• If (אִם, 'im): This particle introduces a conditional clause. It sets up a clear premise for the consequence that follows, indicating choice and personal responsibility. It highlights that God's blessing is not automatic but requires a response.
• you are willing (תֹּאב֣וּ, tōʾ·ḇū): From the Hebrew root אָבָה ('abah), meaning "to be willing," "to consent," "to accept," "to desire." This word goes beyond mere intellectual assent; it implies a deep, internal desire and readiness. It speaks to the heart's disposition towards God.
• and obedient (וּשְׁמַעְתֶּ֔ם, ū·šə·ma‘·tem): From the Hebrew root שָׁמַע (shama'). While literally meaning "to hear" or "to listen," in the biblical context, shama' almost always implies hearing with understanding that leads to action and compliance. It signifies attentive, responsive obedience rather than just passive listening.
• you will eat (תֹּאכֵ֑לוּ, tōʾ·ḵê·lū): From אָכַל ('akhal), meaning "to eat" or "to consume." This denotes experiencing and enjoying the benefits directly and fully. In this agricultural society, eating the good of the land symbolized abundant provision, security, and well-being.
• the good things (ט֥וּב, ṭūḇ): From טוּב (tūḇ), meaning "goodness," "the best," "prosperity," "blessings." It encompasses not just physical produce but the holistic well-being and favor that accompany God's covenant blessings. This is in direct contrast to the devastation and barrenness described earlier in the chapter.
• of the land (הָאָֽרֶץ, hā·ʾā·reṣ): Refers specifically to the promised land of Israel. In the Old Testament, the land itself was a tangible manifestation of God's covenant with His people. Enjoying the "good of the land" meant dwelling securely, prospering from its produce, and living in peace, free from famine or invasion—the opposite of the judgment detailed in the preceding verses.

Words-group analysis:

• "If you are willing and obedient": This phrase combines inward disposition ("willing") with outward action ("obedient"). It's not enough to merely perform acts of obedience; there must be a genuine desire and consent from the heart. This reflects God's emphasis on genuine, holistic relationship rather than superficial religiosity. This coupling underscores the comprehensive nature of true repentance and faith.
• "you will eat the good things of the land": This signifies the material, physical, and holistic blessings that are contingent upon a right relationship with God within the covenant. "Eating" symbolizes fully experiencing and benefiting from the abundance. "The good things" represent prosperity, security, health, and joy, while "of the land" points to the covenantal context and the immediate tangible blessings. It presents a stark choice between the land's desolation due to sin and its abundance due to fidelity.

Isaiah 1 19 Bonus section

The phrase "willing and obedient" directly counters the accusations of rebellion and stubbornness earlier in Isaiah 1. The immediate alternative presented in verse 20, "but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword," underscores the gravity of the choice. This principle echoes throughout the Law and Prophets: life and blessing are inherently tied to covenant faithfulness, while breaking the covenant leads to judgment and suffering. It showcases God's longsuffering patience, extending grace and a path to restoration even amidst deep apostasy. The "good things of the land" can be seen as a precursor or type of the spiritual blessings available in the new covenant through Christ, where spiritual nourishment and security in God's kingdom transcend mere physical provision, though physical provision can be a part of it (e.g., Matt 6:33).

Isaiah 1 19 Commentary

Isaiah 1:19 is a pivot point in God's urgent message to His people. Following a searing indictment of their rebellion and hypocritical worship, and an incredible invitation for purification in verse 18, this verse articulates the fundamental condition for restoration and blessing. It establishes a divine principle: while God extends grace, access to the full benefits of His covenant requires a responsive heart and action. "Willingness" speaks to the inner posture – a voluntary turning towards God, driven by repentance and a desire for reconciliation. "Obedience" implies the outward demonstration of this inward change, a conformity of life to His righteous standards, particularly those highlighted in verses 16-17 regarding justice and care for the vulnerable. The "good things of the land" symbolize not only agricultural prosperity but the totality of well-being, peace, and security within their national boundaries—a stark contrast to the destruction detailed earlier in the chapter. This is not a legalistic earning of favor but God's established way for His people to thrive in His blessing, emphasizing that He desires their prosperity, provided they align their will with His. This conditional promise remains foundational: genuine, wholehearted turning to God leads to abundant life.