Isaiah 62:10  “Prepare the way for the people. Build up the highway. Go, go through, Clear it of stones.  …After the godly and honest men have preached, they must work at driving off the ungodly preachers. “Beware of false prophets” (Matt. 7:15). It is their endeavor to put away offenses, ungodly teachings, so that the people may not be offended. It is our task to see to it that a godly people, well taught, can simply proceed on the way without a stumbling block. The chief teaching is already present. There remains the one endeavor, namely, that the teaching be retained. To guard possessions is no less a virtue than to acquire them. Take care that some sectarian does not come who will impose upon you. Thus I, Martin Luther, was in four dangers, and yet, beyond my own planning, I was set free by God. When Satan sees us standing firm in the Word, he begins to set another plan before us and tries to lead us into it, so that the whole world will perish by our counsel. He has a thousand tricks.

Lift up an ensign over the peoples. Thus Ps. 4:6 reads: “Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us.” Raise up the banner. Set yourselves in battle array, and do not be sleepy. For the whole world is against us. The Word is a fighting word. In the first place, by teaching it one wages war against the ungodly. Then that which is taught is attacked by the ungodly. Do not be smug and do not sleep, but lift up an ensign, since the pastors must be on guard, lift up the Word, study, and apply themselves to defending the Word. Therefore let us not be smug, for Satan does not sleep. (Luther’s Works, v. 17, pages 350).

Isaiah 50:6. I gave My back to the smiters, etc. Christ is the first to undergo a host of afflictions because of the Word, and thus it is for us disciples the supreme usefulness, strength, wisdom, and power which enables us to bear all things, however difficult, for its sake. This is a theme in the Book of Job. The wisdom of the world cannot be put to shame except through foolishness and weakness.

I hid not My face from shame and spitting. What does that spitting accomplish except extolling the wisdom of the world? Thus our face toward the world, if anyone will look at it with spiritual eyes, is so spit upon, so polluted by endless disgraces, that no profession is less imposing in the world than that of those who profess the Gospel. But for one disgrace a hundred glorious rays will one day appear, because the Lord Himself is present as our Helper. He strengthens, preserves, and liberates the hearers.  (Luther’s Works, v. 17, pages 194-195).

Isaiah 50:4. To hear as those who are taught. Like a pupil who is ready to learn. But when they hear us for the purpose of passing judgment on the Word, they are bringing the ears of a teacher. One who is eager for the truth submits his ears to learning, and he does not fight to show off his skill. To one who makes this kind of accusation you must answer: “I am not here to teach the teacher but the pupil who is eager and wearied, who reduces his wisdom to nothing.” Here is a most harmonious relationship between the learned tongue, the ready ear, and the heart prepared for learning. The Enthusiasts indeed have stirred up ears but exceedingly unlearned tongues. They are quite ready even to hear lies, but they cannot keep their tongues from fighting against the Word.

5. I was not rebellious. “It is the Lord who opens My ears.” So it is for Christ and so it is for all Christians, even if because of weakness and denseness they feel that all things are contradictions and hindrances and faults in sins, anxiety, poverty, blasphemy, etc. Nevertheless, to hear the Word in earnest and to bear all things for the sake of the Word, this is ultimately very difficult. I turned not backward, that is, “I do not turn back to Egypt and become unbelieving, but I confess the Word with the mouth as well as in deed. I sing the praises of the power and might of that seemingly powerless and foolish Word.” (Luther’s Works, v. 17, pages 194).