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Pentecost Season · Proper 3 · Year C

Sirach 27:4-7 or Isaiah 55:10-13

My Word Shall Not Return Empty

May 28, 2028

The Winnower, Jean-François Millet
The Winnower, Jean-François Millet, 1847–1848National Gallery, London
The painting that made Millet's name at the Salon of 1848. A man tosses grain in a dark barn, the chaff flying in a cloud of gold off the basket.Its fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree; so a person's speech discloses the cultivation of the mind. The reading is about separating what is worth keeping.Jean-François MilletA founder of the Barbizon school (1814-1875), who painted peasant labour at a scale previously reserved for history painting and was attacked as a political radical for it.National Gallery, LondonFounded in 1824 by buying one banker's collection, and deliberately placed in Trafalgar Square so that people from every part of London could walk to it.National Gallery, London
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 6:39-49Lk 6:39-49
Epistle1 Cor. 15:51-581 Cor 15:51-58
Old TestamentSir. 27:4-7Sir 27:4-7 orIsa. 55:10-13Is 55:10-13
PsalterPs. 92:1-4, 12-15Ps 92:1-4, 12-15

Overview & Insights

“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty…” (Isaiah 55:11)

Isaiah compares God's word to rain and snow that water the earth and make it fruitful, promising that God's word likewise accomplishes what he purposes. The passage closes with a vision of Israel's joyful return from exile, where thorns give way to cypress and myrtle.

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Take it further: Sirach 27:4-7 or Isaiah 55:10-13

Commentary

Commentary on Isaiah 55:10-13Commentary on Is 55:10-13 Working Preacher

Explains the poetic vision of restoration and the power of God's word to accomplish its purpose.

Isaiah 55 CommentaryIs 55 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter's invitation and promise.

Isaiah 55:10 CommentariesIs 55:10 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentaries verse by verse on the rain-and-word image.

Sirach 27 Commentary (Haydock)Sir 27 Commentary (Haydock) StudyLight

A classic Catholic commentary covering the sieve and speech sayings in Sirach 27.

Background & Word Study

Isaiah 55:10 InterlinearIs 55:10 Interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew text and parsing for the rain-and-snow verse.

Isaiah 55:10-13Is 55:10-13 Sefaria

Hebrew text with classic Jewish commentary alongside the English.

Ben Sira 27 Sefaria

The Hebrew and Greek text of the Sirach passage on speech and character.

Study Hub

Sirach 27:4-7Sir 27:4-7 Textweek

A links hub gathering further resources on the Sirach option.

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