The glory of Samaria, capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, is here contrasted with the glory of the Lord. This section represents the first of the six woes (What sorrow . . .).
ⓘThis section is connected by a series of...
This section is connected by a series of six threats of judgment or woes (cp. 5:8–23). Apart from the initial address to Samaria in 28:1–13, the remainder of the section is addressed to Judah, especially because of their inclination to trust Egypt to rescue them from Assyria (30:2).
1Woe to the majestic crownof Ephraim’s† drunkards,to the fading flower of his glorious splendor,set on the summit above the fertile valley,the pride of those overcome by wine.2Behold, the Lord has onewho is strong and mighty.Like a hailstorm or destructive tempest,like a driving rain or flooding downpour,he will smash that crown to the ground.3The majestic crownof Ephraim’s drunkardswill be trampled underfoot.4The fading flower of his beautiful splendor,set on the summit above the fertile valley,will be like a ripe fig before the summer harvest:Whoever sees it will take it in his hand and swallow it.ⓘIn the future, after God’s judgment has purged...
In the future, after God’s judgment has purged his people, he will restore a righteous remnant, transforming the desires and character of his people. Samaria will no longer be the source of Israel’s pride; instead, they will glory in the Lord, their true crown.
5On that day the LORDof Hosts will be a crown of glory,a diadem of splendor to the remnant of His people,6a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment,and a strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate.ⓘThe focus returns to the lamentable present situation...
The focus returns to the lamentable present situation in Israel (and Judah). The leaders and people will be ensnared by their own schemes.
7These also stagger from wineand stumble from strong drink:Priests and prophets reel from strong drinkand are befuddled by wine.They stumble because of strong drink,muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments.8For all their tables are covered with vomit;there is not a place without filth.ⓘThe people had become hardened to God’s revelation...
The people had become hardened to God’s revelation (1 Cor 14:21).
9Whom is He trying to teach?To whom is He explaining His message?To infants just weaned from milk?To babies removed from the breast?10For they hear:†“Order on order, order on order,line on line, line on line;†a little here, a little there.”11NTIndeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues,12NTto whom He has said: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen.13Then the wordof the LORD to them will become:“Order on order, order on order,line on line, line on line;a little here, a little there,”so that they will go stumbling backwardand will be injured, ensnared, and captured.
ⓘAfter having pronounced judgment on Samaria (28:1–13), Isaiah...
After having pronounced judgment on Samaria (28:1–13), Isaiah now pronounces judgment on Jerusalem. The leaders of Judah are accused of being as blind as those in the northern kingdom of Israel.
14Therefore hear the wordof the LORD, O scofferswho rule this people in Jerusalem.15For you said, “We have made a covenant with death;we have fashioned an agreement with Sheol.When the overwhelming scourge passes throughit will not touch us,because we have made lies our refugeand falsehood† our hiding place.”
16NTSo this is what the Lord GOD says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,a tested stone,a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;the one who believes will never be shaken.†17I will make justice the measuring lineand righteousnessthe level.Hail will sweep away your refuge of lies,and water will flood your hiding place.18Your covenant with death will be dissolved,and your agreement with Sheol will not stand.When the overwhelming scourge passes through,you will be trampled by it.19As often as it passes through,it will carry you away;it will sweep through morning after morning,by day and by night.”The understanding of this messagewill bring sheer terror.20Indeed, the bed is too short to stretch out on,and the blanket too small to wrap around you.21For the LORD will rise up as at Mount Perazim.He will rouse Himself as in the Valley of Gibeon,to do His work, His strange work,andtoperformHis task, His disturbing task.22So now, do not mock,or your shackles will become heavier.Indeed, I have heard from the Lord GOD of Hostsa decree of destruction against the whole land.
Listen and Hear
23Listen and hear my voice.Pay attention and hear what I say.ⓘA farmer knows that there are right and...
A farmer knows that there are right and wrong ways to do things, but the leaders of Judah were not that intelligent.
24Does the plowman plow for planting every day?Does he continuously loosen and harrow the soil?25When he has leveled its surface,does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin?He plants wheat in rows and barley in plots,and rye within its border.26For his God instructsand teaches him properly.ⓘThe Lord has a variety of means (a...
The Lord has a variety of means (a heavy sledge . . . a light stick) for accomplishing his purposes. There are degrees of judgment.
27Surely caraway is not threshed with a sledge,and the wheelof a cart is not rolled over the cumin.But caraway is beaten out with a stick,and cuminwith arod.28Grain for bread must be ground,but it is not endlessly threshed.Though the wheelsof the cart roll over it,the horses do not crush it.29This also comes from the LORDof Hosts,who is wonderful in counseland excellent in wisdom.
Commentary
Isaiah 28:1
The drunks of Israel epitomized pride, spiritual complacency, and scorn for God and his commands.
Unlike Jerusalem, Samaria was in a fertile valley.
Commentary
Isaiah 28:2
the Lord will send: The covenant God will act against his own people, whose behavior had effectively disqualified them as God’s people (see Hos 1:9).
The mighty army is that of the Assyrians, who destroyed Samaria in 722 BC.
Intoxicating beverages such as wine and alcohol were prohibited for priests while fulfilling their duties (Lev 10:9).
Commentary
Isaiah 28:11
God will have to speak through circumstances such as hardship, exile, and death in order to get through to his hardened people.
a strange language: In the New Testament, Paul applied this text to the spiritual gift of tongues as a sign of judgment to unbelievers (see 1 Cor 14:21–22).
one line at a time, one line at a time, a little here, and a little there: The Hebrew here is difficult to understand. The words might be intentional nonsense to illustrate the point that the people were so spiritually blind that God’s clearest revelation was nonsense to them (see 6:9–10).
cheat death (literally have made a covenant with death) . . . dodge the grave: There are two interpretive possibilities: (1) The people had sold themselves to the Canaanite god of death, Mot, in return for his supposed protection. (2) The prophet was being sarcastic; the people thought their various political and economic moves guaranteed their personal security, but they had actually destroyed themselves.
lies and deception: The leaders did not think of themselves as deceptive, but they were.
Commentary
Isaiah 28:16
The Lord himself is the reliable foundation stone in Jerusalem, a precious cornerstone of the true city of God. There would be real hope in Jerusalem if the leaders and the people would only turn to him. If they would trust in God, they would be secure in the most terrible storm or the most devastating earthquake (see 8:14; Ps 118:22; Matt 7:24–27; 21:42; see the application to Jesus Christ, Rom 9:33; 10:11; 1 Cor 3:11; Eph 2:20; 1 Pet 2:4–7).
God had rescued Israel through a hailstorm at Gibeon (Josh 10:10–12), but now he would turn against them.
Commentary
Isaiah 28:23
Listen to me: The analogy that follows was written as a wisdom poem, with Isaiah calling on his audience to pay careful attention and to discern what is right.
Commentary
Isaiah 28:28
he doesn’t keep on pounding it: This process would end; after judgment would come redemption.
Commentary
Isaiah 28:29
wonderful teacher (or counselor; see 9:6): God’s people should learn wisdom about God’s ways, as the farmer has done.