Woe to Samaria and Jerusalem
Text: Isaiah 28
Israel's Pride and Drunkenness - Isaiah 28:1-6
Woe is pronounced on the "proud crown of the drunkards of Ephriam." Northern Israel was proud of the capital city of Samaria. The people are referred to as drunkards, probably literally and figuratively. The nation was staggering like a drunkard toward a major fall (Amos 6).
Israel had once done well, but it is fading. The Lord has prepared a destructive storm (the Assyrians) to bring Israel to ruin. It will strike like an overwhelming flood. Samaria will be treated like a forgotten crown lying in the mud and trampled underfoot. It will be quickly consumed like the first ripe fig in summer.
In contrast, God will become a glorious crown to the few who remain of His people. He will help the judges to be just and the soldiers to be strong.
Judah Is Just as Guilty - Isaiah 28:7-8
"And these also" refer to Judah. They survive the destruction of Israel, but they are also guilty of drunkenness, especially those who should be leading the people — the priests and the prophets. Drunkenness appears to be a common problem during this period (Isaiah 5:11, 22; 22:13; 56:12; Hosea 4:11; 7:5; Amos 6:6). Priests were especially forbidden to drink while on duty (Leviticus 10:9). Unlike Isaiah 28:6, they are unable to foresee or render proper judgment. The result is disgusting.
Who Does God Think He Is Teaching? - Isaiah 28:9-13
Scoffers in Judah reject Isaiah's warning. They claim the message is too simplistic (suitable for babies). It is building minor points from simple ideas as a schoolmaster instructing elementary students.
"They sneer at the prophet, that intolerable moralist. They are of age, and free; and he does not need to bring knowledge to them (da‛ath as in Isaiah 11:9), or make them understand the proclamation. They know of old to what he would lead. Are they little children that have just been weaned (on the constructives, see Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 5:11; Isaiah 30:18; Ges. 114, 1), and who must let themselves be tutored? For the things he preaches are nothing but endless petty teazings. The short words (tsâv, as in Hosea 5:11), together with the diminutive זעיר (equivalent to the Arabic sugayyir, mean, from sagı̄r, small), are intended to throw ridicule upon the smallness and vexatious character of the prophet's interminable and uninterrupted chidings, as ל ( equals על, אל; comp. יסף ל, Isaiah 26:15) implies that they are; just as the philosophers in Acts 17:18 call Paul a σπερμολόγος, a collector of seeds, i.e., a dealer in trifles." [Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament].
But the use of short Hebrew words also emphasizes drunken people who are unable to use sophisticated words because of their condition.
God replies that He will indeed speak to these people, even though they can't understand. He is going to use foreigners (the Babylonians) to teach them. He taught them the way to rest and happiness, but they refused to listen to their God. Thus, He will treat them as schoolchildren who must learn simple lessons as they stumble off into captivity.
Judah's Disbelief and Overconfidence - Isaiah 28:14-22
The Lord judges the scoffers who rule Judah. They believe they are safe because they have an agreement with the destructive Assyrians or the Egyptians (death and the grave) that will keep them from being overwhelmed by the Assyrian armies. However, this agreement is not honorable because it is built on lies and deceptions.
In contrast, God will lay a firm foundation with something costly and tried (a reference to the Messiah - I Peter 2:6; Ephesians 2:20; Romans 10:11). When one trusts in him, he will not be disturbed. Justice and righteousness will be the standard by which things are measured. Trouble will overflow those involved in secrets and lies. God will cancel the agreement they put so much trust in.
Judah is going to be trampled as armies cross its lands repeatedly. The situation will be uncomfortable, like sleeping on a bed that is too short or with too small of a blanket. None of their plans will work.
God is on the move, as He had done against the Philistines (II Samuel 5:20, 25; I Chronicles 14:13-16). If the scoffers don't relent, God will make the coming troubles stronger and longer.
A Lesson from Farming - Isaiah 28:23-29
A farmer doesn't spend all his time preparing the soil. There comes a time when he must level the surface and plant his seeds. Different kinds of seeds must be planted properly. Each type of seed is planted where it will produce the best, as God has instructed him. In the harvest, different crops need to be handled differently to make use of what was gathered. Even tasks such as threshing wheat cannot be done continually. There is a proper amount of time, or the harvest will be ruined.
The point is that God deals with nations and people in different ways at different times to best encourage righteousness. God is not arbitrary in His dealings; His actions are carefully planned.
