Isaiah 28:27

27 Caraway seeds are beaten out with a rod. They aren't separated out under a threshing sled. Cummin seeds are beaten out with a stick. The wheel of a cart isn't rolled over them.

Isaiah 28:27 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 28:27

For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument,
&c.] A wooden sledge, dray, or cart, drawn on wheels; the bottom of which was stuck with iron teeth, and the top filled with stones, to press it down with the weight thereof, and was drawn by horses, or oxen, to and fro, over the sheaves of corn, laid in proper order, whereby the grain was separated from the husk: (See Gill on 1 Corinthians 9:9) but fitches, the grain of them being more easily separated, such an instrument was not used in threshing them: neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin;
the cart wheel of the above instrument was not turned upon the cummin, that being also more easily threshed, or beaten out, and therefore another method was used with these, as follows: but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a
rod:
in like manner as corn is with us threshed out with a flail; so the Lord proportions the chastisement, and corrections of his people to the grace and strength that he gives them; he afflicts them either more gently, or more severely, as they are able to bear it; with some he uses his staff and rod, and with others his threshing instrument and cart wheel; some being easier and others harder to be wrought upon by the afflictive dispensations of Providence; see ( 1 Corinthians 10:13 ) or this may point out the difference between the punishment of wicked men and the chastisement of the saints.

Isaiah 28:27 In-Context

25 When he's made the surface even, doesn't he plant caraway seeds? Doesn't he scatter cummin? Doesn't he plant wheat in its proper place? Doesn't he plant barley where it belongs? Doesn't he plant spelt along the edge of the field?

26 His God directs him. He teaches him the right way to do his work.

27 Caraway seeds are beaten out with a rod. They aren't separated out under a threshing sled. Cummin seeds are beaten out with a stick. The wheel of a cart isn't rolled over them.

28 Grain must be ground up to make bread. A farmer separates it out. But he doesn't go on doing it forever. He drives the wheels of a threshing cart over it. But he doesn't let the horses grind it to dust.

29 All of those insights come from the LORD who rules over all. His advice is wonderful. His wisdom is glorious.