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.
14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which [is] in Jerusalem.
15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only [to] understand the report.
20 For the bed is shorter than that [a man] can stretch himself [on it]: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself [in it].
21 For the LORD shall rise up as [in] mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as [in] the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.
22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.
23 Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.
24 Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground?
25 When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place?
26 For his God doth instruct him to discretion, [and] doth teach him.
27 For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.
28 Bread [corn] is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break [it with] the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it [with] his horsemen.
29 This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, [which] is wonderful in counsel, [and] excellent in working.
Summary of Isaiah Chapter 28
Isaiah 28 presents a prophetic message that addresses the spiritual and moral decay of the people of Israel, particularly focusing on the northern kingdom of Ephraim and the leaders of Jerusalem. The chapter uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey God’s displeasure and the consequences of their actions.
The Fall of Ephraim
The chapter opens with a lamentation over the pride and decadence of Ephraim, depicted as a “crown of pride” and a “fading flower.” The imagery illustrates their superficial glory and impending judgment.
- The “crown of pride” symbolizes the arrogance of the leaders and the people.
- The “fading flower” signifies the fleeting nature of their achievements and status.
God’s Judgment
God announces that He will bring judgment upon Ephraim through a powerful enemy, described as a “mighty and strong one.” This judgment serves as a wake-up call for the people to recognize their spiritual condition.
- The “mighty and strong one” is often interpreted as an invading force, possibly the Assyrians.
- This invasion is a direct consequence of the people’s reliance on their own strength and alliances rather than on God.
The Leaders of Jerusalem
Isaiah then shifts focus to the leaders of Jerusalem, who are depicted as mocking and dismissive of God’s warnings. They rely on false security and refuse to heed the prophetic messages.
- Their attitude reflects a deep-seated complacency and arrogance.
- They engage in a form of spiritual intoxication, believing that their status protects them from divine judgment.
The Concept of Line and Plumb Line
In a significant metaphor, God speaks of using a “line” and a “plumb line” to measure the people’s faithfulness and righteousness. This imagery emphasizes God’s standard of justice and the need for alignment with His will.
- The “line” represents God’s expectations for His people.
- The “plumb line” signifies the need for moral integrity and uprightness.
Hope Amidst Judgment
Despite the dire warnings and impending judgment, Isaiah offers a message of hope. He speaks of a future where God will establish a foundation of righteousness, symbolized by a “precious cornerstone.” This cornerstone represents the coming Messiah, who will provide true security and salvation.
- The “precious cornerstone” signifies the foundation of faith upon which believers can stand firm.
- This hope is extended to all who turn back to God and seek His guidance.
Conclusion
Isaiah 28 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of pride and complacency in spiritual matters. It calls for self-examination and a return to genuine faith in God, while also offering hope for redemption through the promised Messiah.
