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Isaiah, Chapter 28
[1] Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine! [2] Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand. [3] The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: [4] And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up. [5] In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, [6] And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate. [7] But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. [8] For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean. [9] Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. [10] For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: [11] For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. [12] To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. [13] But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. |
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What is being said in verses 1-4?
After a few chapters about Zion, it appears that Isaiah has returned to the more near-term prophecies and warnings regarding Israel in his day and time (approximately 724 BC). In these verses, Ephraim (the northern kingdom) is being warned about pride and drunkenness, with a prophecy that they will be trodden underfoot. Sure enough, two years later (in 722 BC), the Assyrian army successfully attacked the northern kingdom. What is a diadem?
It’s a type of crown. What timeframe is this prophecy in verses 5-6 referring to?
It’s unclear. It could still be referring to 722 BC (in which case, the residue would be the people who are left behind when the Assyrian army attacks and takes people away captive). Or it could be referring to Zion (in which case, the residue would be the tribes of Israel who are gathered at that time). Or it could even be referring to both timeframes (since prophecy often refers to two timeframes, with the earlier one providing a “type” for the later one). What will happen at whatever time this takes place?
The Lord will be leading the people. Those who need His Spirit to make sound judgments will receive it. Those who need His strength to defend a city will receive that. Who is being criticized in verses 7-8?
The leaders of Israel. Because of drunkenness (and perhaps other sinful conditions), they are lacking proper vision and judgment and are not leading the people properly. Who is speaking in verses 9-10?
Isaiah is prophesying what the drunken leaders of Israel will be saying at that time. Perhaps they were already saying these things at the time that this was being written. What is being said in verses 9-10?
They are asking, “Who does he think he’s trying to teach or make understand these things — children?” They felt that everything was being overly simplified (precept must be upon precept, line upon line, etc.). What would happen as a result of the complaints of verses 9-10?
According to verses 11-13, the Lord would then speak to the people in an unfamiliar language such that they would have difficulty understanding it. It would still be delivered little by little (since the Israelite leaders complained about that), but it would be understood only enough for them to get started and then fall backward, eventually being captured by the Assyrians. What is the “rest” that is referred to in verse 12?
This verse primarily refers to the rest that is received for one’s soul when following the Lord, such as Jesus references when He says, “I will give you rest,” although the “refreshing” could also refer to ways that the Lord helps us to get through this life. This is what was offered to the Israelites, but they didn’t want to hear it. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) This series of articles on the Book of Isaiah is an outgrowth of a series of lessons presented at a branch level and is being offered as a study tool for all readers. The interpretations offered are not intended to represent an official position of The Church of Jesus Christ, however they have been reviewed by members of the ministry and can be considered a reliable supplement to any reader’s study of the Book of Isaiah.
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