이사야 Chapter 28

Translation: ESV

1

Ah, the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim, and the fading flower of its glorious beauty, which is on the head of the rich valley of those overcome with wine!

Key Message

The pride of leaders who indulge in wine and dissipation will certainly be judged.

▸Isaiah 28-33 forms a collection of 'woe' oracles.

Isaiah 28-33 forms a collection of 'woe' oracles. A woe is pronounced against Ephraim's (northern Israel's) proud crown. Samaria, built on a hill, is described as 'the fading flower of its glorious beauty on the head of the rich valley.'

Related Verses

Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria.
2

Behold, the Lord has one who is mighty and strong; like a storm of hail, a destroying tempest, like a storm of mighty, overflowing waters, he casts down to the earth with his hand.

Key Message

Even great historical powers are instruments of God's judgment, used to bring down the proud.

▸God's instrument of judgment is described as one who is mighty and strong—Assyria.

3

The proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trodden underfoot.

Key Message

Proud glory ultimately becomes shameful, trodden underfoot.

▸This repeats the theme of verse 1—that the proud crown will be trodden underfoot.

4

And the fading flower of its glorious beauty, which is on the head of the rich valley, will be like a first-ripe fig before the summer: when someone sees it, he swallows it as soon as it is in his hand.

Key Message

The glory of those who have turned from God passes as quickly as the first-ripe fig of summer.

▸Ephraim's glory is like a fading flower, like a first-ripe fig of summer—fleeting.

5

In that day the LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people.

Key Message

God himself will be the crown for the remnant. Human glory fades, but the glory of God is eternal.

▸In contrast to Ephraim's proud crown (v.

6

And a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.

Key Message

God is the source of power for both righteous judgment and courageous battle.

▸God will be a spirit of justice (fair discernment) for the remnant and strength for them.

7

These also reel with wine and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed by wine, they stagger with strong drink, they reel in vision, they stumble in giving judgment.

Key Message

The spiritual corruption of leaders leads to a complete loss of judgment across the community.

▸Not only Ephraim, but the religious leaders of Judah (priests and prophets) also indulge in wine.

9

To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast?

Key Message

Dismissing and mocking God's word was the sin of Israel's leaders.

▸This is the response of Isaiah's audience to his warnings.

10

For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.

Key Message

Mocking and dismissing God's word is the cause of judgment.

▸'Precept upon precept, line upon line'—this is how Judah's leaders mockingly characterize Isaiah's prophecy, treating it as repetitive babble fit for children.

11

For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the LORD will speak to this people.

Key Message

Those who reject God's word will face a judgment they cannot understand.

▸To those who have rejected God's word, he will now speak through a foreign language—Assyrian.

12

To whom he has said, 'This is rest; give rest to the weary; and this is repose'; yet they would not hear.

Key Message

To reject the rest God offers is to forfeit true peace.

▸God wanted to give rest and refreshment, but they would not listen.

14

Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scoffers, who rule this people in Jerusalem!

Key Message

Even arrogant leaders must humbly hear the word of God.

▸Now a warning turns directly to Jerusalem's leaders.

15

Because you have said, 'We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have an agreement, when the overwhelming whip passes through it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter.'

Key Message

To turn from God and pursue false security is to make a covenant with death.

▸The arrogant posture of the leaders is exposed.

16

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, 'Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: Whoever believes will not be in haste.'

Key Message

Those who trust in the foundation stone God has laid will never be rushed into panic.

▸As an alternative to the false refuge, God lays a true foundation stone in Zion.

17

And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line; and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overwhelm the shelter.

Key Message

God's judgment is measured by justice and righteousness, and everything false will be swept away.

▸God uses justice and righteousness as the standard of judgment.

21

For the LORD will rise up as on Mount Perazim; as in the Valley of Gibeon he will be roused; to do his deed—strange is his deed! and to work his work—alien is his work!

Key Message

God judging his own people is strange and alien, but he cannot leave sin unaddressed.

▸God will rise up as at Mount Perazim, where David defeated the Philistines (2 Sam.

29

This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.

Key Message

All of God's works in history flow from his wonderful and excellent wisdom.

▸All of God's works come from his wise counsel.