Isaiah 28:1-4
Chapter 28 begins a new group or section that runs through chapter 37. It begins with the first of six woes that show up from chapter 28 to chapter 33.
The first woe is against Samaria, which is characterized as a crown for the drunken leadership of the northern kingdom of Israel. The northern kingdom had been marked for judgment for its idolatry. The leaders, elders, princes and priests are characterized as living a carefree party life instead of looking out for the best interest of the nation. Samaria was seen as a glorious beauty; Isaiah calls it a fading flower in light of wrath that was coming.
Woe is horrible thing that speaks of the impending doom. The Assyrian army was that woe; they would come on Ephraim like hail and a storm, like a flood of mighty waters. Isaiah used language and simile of things of doom that the people would understand. He is trying to shake them from their lethargy and apathy. The first fruits of summer would be eaten quickly and the Assyrian army would quickly gobble up Ephraim.
Isaiah 28:5-8
'In that day' looks briefly toward a remnant; a time of salvation and restoration. With every declaration of judgment we see a glimpse of hope on the horizon. This looks toward the day under the Lord's rule. In great contrast to the current leadership in the northern kingdom, the Lord would be a crown to His people. The Lord, the true crown will replace the false crown of pride worn by Ephraim. He would rule in justice and strength, something that was missing in the current failed leadership.
It seems as though Isaiah is looking in on the party. It's quite possible this is a celebration of the alliance with Egypt. This alliance will fail them, there will be no thwarting the judgment of the Lord. The party caused these leaders to stagger and reel. The priests and the prophet had done no better in seeing their error. They were 'swallowed up' which is to be consumed by the wine to the point of being unable to function. They totter, completely out of balance, on the verge of falling.
To the shame of the leadership, there was no clean place. To the shame of the priests and prophets there was nothing sacred. All that came out of their mouths was the equivalent to vomit.
There is probably some literal understanding to this drunkenness, though it was likely to be a picture of their character and integrity over the course of many years. They failed in their relation and trust of the Lord. They turned away to other gods. They trusted in armies, alliances and money. The nation was well off, the leaders of Samaria were living in luxurious palaces. This carefree life, as if it were an endless party, was coming to an end.
Isaiah 28:9-13
Who would teach these drunken leaders? Who could teach them when they were unwilling students? One had a better chance of making children understand. Verse ten is debated by many. Some see it as a sing-song babble; what the drunken leaders heard from the Lord through Isiah. (I can't help but think of Charlie Brown's teacher in the Peanuts cartoons; wah, wah, wah…). The Hebrew words have repetitive babble sing song about them. We might imagine the drunkard's reaction to Isaiah's warnings, "Rules and commandments, regulations and truths, over and over, blah, blah, blah…." as they dismissed and rebelled against God and His warning. This response might also be seen as typical for the prideful and blind.
Yet the sing, song verses of truth are the very methods used to teach truth to children. They learn the simple ones and stack truth upon truth, here a little, there a little. The truth of God's warning would come to them again. This time from the foreign tongue of the Assyrian. No one would be able to understand them. The babble they spoke would remind them of the babble from Isaiah. This babble contained the truth of God that would bring them rest and refreshing; by their rebellion they would be conquered and carried away to another land. The rejection brought the downfall, brokenness and entrapment warned against in verse 8:15 and failed to heed.
Paul quotes this passage in another way in 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 in speaking about the usage of tongues.
Isaiah 28:13-15
These leaders of Judah were no better than those of Israel; they were scornful men in God's eyes. They were mockers, not just ignoring God's commands but mocking them. The covenant Judah made with Egypt was likened to a covenant with death. We might call it a deal with the devil. God rebuked them for putting their faith in this covenant. Isaiah revealed that they really put their faith in a lie and trusted in falsehood. They were simply fooling themselves.
People put their trust in many things. We rely on our plans, our money and our ways instead of the Lord. People find hope in candidates and political parties; platforms, agendas and laws. In the same way, there is a time coming when people will also trust in the coming world leader who will bring a false peace. Most will be deceived. See also Daniel 9.
Isaiah 28:16-20
Isaiah draws a contrast to the trust in the covenant with death by speaking of the one sure, solid place of hope; we know this hope to be Jesus Christ. He is that cornerstone spoken of. This sure promise and care; this unfailing hope still stands in spite of the disobedience and unfaithfulness of the leaders. Punishment was coming, but the promise still stood. Instead of putting faith in a lie, they were to choose the truth; instead of shaky ground, they were to choose the foundation of the Lord. Whoever believes will not be put to shame. See this also in Psalm 22; 1Peter 2; Genesis 49; and Deuteronomy 32.
God will make justice the measuring line. Being on the wrong side of that line will bring His judgment. By the hail and waters He will drive them from their refuge in lies and their covenant will be annulled. By God's word their agreement won't stand. The overwhelming scourge of the Assyrian army will pass over them relentlessly. There will be no place to escape to. It will be an uncomfortable time.
(Challenge: start of bible study by looking up every use of 'stone' & 'Rock' throughout the bible. Where do you find Jesus? Jesus is our Rock, the Cornerstone.)
Isaiah 28:21-22
Just like the Lord rose up against those who mocked him at Mt Perazim and the Vally of Gibeon, He will rise up even against those in Jerusalem. Mt Perazim shows up in 2 Samuel 5 and the Valley of Gibeon shows up in Joshua 10:1-10. Judgment was coming; Isaiah testified that he heard it and it was determined.
Isaiah 28:23-28
God's guidance and wisdom is excellent, perfect and holy in every way. There is a time for plowing and time for planting. There is a place for planting different crops. There is a way to harvest the different crops. If these ways aren't adhered to then the crop may not be planted, or it could be planted in the wrong place, or it might be ruined by harvesting it wrong. There is a way that is right. God knows that way, man must learn to trust in it.
©2018 Doug Ford
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