Corruption of Israel
September 22, 2022
Commentary
In the next three chapters Isaiah pronounces five woes on those who scorn God’s word. A sixth “woe” is found in (Isa. 33:1). Interspersed with these “woes” of judgment are promises of restoration and glory. Isaiah is pronouncing this series of “woes” primarily against those who are opposing his words. He is addressing the leaders of both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms for their failure to heed God’s word.
The first “woe” is pronounced on the crown of pride and the drunkards of Ephraim (vv. 1-4). This reference is obviously to Samaria, the capital of Ephraim. The Northern Kingdom was throwing away the blessing of God as a drunkard throws away his money trying to obtain more drink (vv. 5-13). Isaiah refers to the people and their leaders as being drunk at a banquet table covered with vomit (v. 8). No wonder the nation was ripe for judgment.
The people are complaining that all they ever hear from this prophet is one rule and one standard after another and they are weary of it. This is because they have never learned to obey the one who is the source of all standards. They will not listen to God’s message and they consider it as a repetition of annoying rules and regulations (v. 10). Isaiah tells them that if they do not want to listen to his “lecturing” then they will be “lectured” to by another people who have a different speech.
Application
I need to listen to those that God places in my path as leaders and authority in my life. If I refuse to listen to them, I may have serious consequences come into my life.
Isaiah 28:1– 13 (NET)
1 The splendid crown of Ephraim’s drunkards is doomed, the withering flower, its beautiful splendor, situated at the head of a rich valley, the crown of those overcome with wine.
2 Look, the Lord sends a strong, powerful one. With the force of a hailstorm or a destructive windstorm, with the might of a driving, torrential rainstorm, he will knock that crown to the ground with his hand.
3 The splendid crown of Ephraim’s drunkards will be trampled underfoot.
4 The withering flower, its beautiful splendor, situated at the head of a rich valley, will be like an early fig before harvest— as soon as someone notices it, he grabs it and swallows it.
5 At that time the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will become a beautiful crown and a splendid diadem for the remnant of his people.
6 He will give discernment to the one who makes judicial decisions, and strength to those who defend the city from attackers.
7 Even these men stagger because of wine; they stumble around because of beer— priests and prophets stagger because of beer, they are confused because of wine, they stumble around because of beer; they stagger while seeing prophetic visions, they totter while making legal decisions.
8 Indeed, all the tables are covered with vomit, with filth, leaving no clean place.
9 Who is the Lord trying to teach? To whom is he explaining a message? To those just weaned from milk! To those just taken from their mother’s breast!
10 Indeed, they will hear meaningless gibberish, senseless babbling, a syllable here, a syllable there.
11 For with mocking lips and a foreign tongue he will speak to these people.
12 In the past he said to them, “This is where security can be found. Provide security for the one who is exhausted. This is where rest can be found.” But they refused to listen.
13 So the Lord’s message to them will sound like meaningless gibberish, senseless babbling, a syllable here, a syllable there. As a result, they will fall on their backsides when they try to walk, and be injured, ensnared, and captured.
Illustration: Dale Earhardt Crashes at The Daytona 500
In 2001, at the Daytona 500, racing legend Dale Earhardt on the final lap of the race, crashed into the wall at a speed of around 180 miles per hour after being tapped from behind. The autopsy report stated that he died of blunt force trauma to the head. It has been suggested that he may have survived the crash if he had been wearing a special safety device called a HANS or Head and Neck Safety Device. At the time however, he had decided against using the device complaining that it restricted his movements too much. His neglect probably cost him his life. The Bible reveals that each individual is on a collision course with God’s judgment. He has provided a safety device in the cross of Jesus Christ, that will keep us from suffering eternal death and separation from God. But like Dale Earnhardt, we each must chose to accept and not neglect what God has offered. (Adapted from Michael Owenby, Carrollton GA.)