Isa 28 | MHM | STEP | Ephraim Reproved and Threatened; The Punishment of Ephraim; The Degeneracy of Judah In this chapter, the prophet warns the northern kingdom, called Ephraim, about coming judgment because of their sins. Their land was rich and beautiful, but instead of honoring God with their blessings, they became proud and sinful. Drunkenness and pride were common, even among leaders. God would soon allow the Assyrian king to conquer them as punishment. The prophet also speaks to Judah, the southern kingdom, showing that God’s mercy and favor are with those who remain faithful, but Judah too is warned not to follow Ephraim’s bad example. v. 1-4 : Ephraim is warned about judgment. Although their land is fruitful and beautiful, it has become a crown of pride to the drunkards of Ephraim (Isaiah 28:1 ). They are proud of their riches and indulge in drunkenness. God will send a mighty and strong one —the king of Assyria—to take away all they are proud of. Their beauty is like a fading flower, quickly gone, and their wealth will be devoured like fruit that is eaten as soon as it is ripe (Hosea 2:9; Micah 7:1 ; Job 5:5 ).

‏ Isaiah 28

Ephraim Reproved and Threatened; The Punishment of Ephraim; The Degeneracy of Judah

In this chapter, the prophet warns the northern kingdom, called Ephraim, about coming judgment because of their sins. Their land was rich and beautiful, but instead of honoring God with their blessings, they became proud and sinful. Drunkenness and pride were common, even among leaders. God would soon allow the Assyrian king to conquer them as punishment. The prophet also speaks to Judah, the southern kingdom, showing that God’s mercy and favor are with those who remain faithful, but Judah too is warned not to follow Ephraim’s bad example.

v. 1-4: Ephraim is warned about judgment. Although their land is fruitful and beautiful, it has become a crown of pride to the drunkards of Ephraim (Isaiah 28:1 ^a). They are proud of their riches and indulge in drunkenness. God will send a mighty and strong one—the king of Assyria—to take away all they are proud of. Their beauty is like a fading flower, quickly gone, and their wealth will be devoured like fruit that is eaten as soon as it is ripe (Hosea 2:9; Micah 7:1 ^b; Job 5:5 ^c).

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v. 5-6: God promises to be a special blessing to the faithful in Judah, the residue of his people (Isaiah 28:5 ^d). Even while Israel is punished, those who trust in God will have Him as a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty. He will give wisdom to judges and courage to soldiers. God is everything His people need, guiding and protecting them. This points forward to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is the true glory of God’s people (1 Corinthians 1:24 ^e).

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v. 7-8: Sadly, even in Judah, some priests and prophets have fallen into the same sins. They have erred through wine (Isaiah 28:7 ^f). Leaders who should warn others have become drunk themselves. This leads to bad decisions, confusion, and shame. The problem is so widespread that all tables are full of vomit (Isaiah 28:8 ^g). Drunkenness is an ugly sin that brings disgrace to everyone, especially to those who should set a good example (Leviticus 10:9; Proverbs 31:4-5 ^h; Ecclesiastes 10:17 ⁱ).

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The Degeneracy of Judah

In these verses, the prophet Isaiah points out how the people of Judah have become spiritually dull and hard to teach. Even though they had the opportunity to hear God’s word, they did not learn or change. Their hearts remained cold, and their lives did not improve. God’s teachers tried many ways to help them, but the people would not listen or take it seriously.

v. 9: God’s prophets wanted to teach knowledge and help people understand doctrine . Their goal was to lead the people to know God and follow His ways. God always begins by teaching people the truth, hoping it will reach their hearts and change their lives.

v. 10: The prophets worked hard to teach in simple ways, like teaching little children. Precept upon precept; line upon line; here a little, and there a little . They repeated lessons again and again, giving small bits at a time so people could understand and remember. Teachers should be patient, giving what learners need and what they can handle (Deuteronomy 6:6-7 ^j).

v. 11: God tried different ways to reach the people. With stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people . Sometimes, this means God sent teachers who spoke simply, or it could mean He allowed foreign armies to come whose language the people did not know. If people will not listen to God’s gentle words, they will hear the harsh words of judgment (1 Corinthians 14:21 ^k).

v. 12: God, through His prophets, invited the people to find true rest and refreshment in following Him. This is the rest wherewith you may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear . But the people refused to listen, even though God’s way would have brought them peace.

v. 13: Because they would not listen, God’s word became to them just empty repetition—precept upon precept, line upon line . It made no real change in their hearts. Some even made fun of the prophet’s teaching. As a result, they would stumble and fall into deeper sin until they were finally broken and taken away. When people refuse God’s word, it leads not to life, but to judgment and ruin.

Judgments Announced; The Corner-stone in Zion

In this section, Isaiah speaks to the leaders in Jerusalem who made fun of God’s warnings and felt safe in their own plans. They trusted in lies and thought they could avoid disaster, even when God’s judgments were coming. Isaiah shows that real safety is only found in God’s promises, especially the promise of the Messiah—called the Corner-stone in Zion. Those who trust in anything else will find their confidence destroyed, but those who trust in God’s foundation will never be disappointed.

v. 14: The prophet addresses the rulers of Jerusalem, calling them scornful men . It is a sad thing when leaders mock God’s word and ignore His warnings. If rulers do not take God seriously, who will?

v. 15: These leaders feel secure, thinking, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement . They believe that no disaster will touch them, even when God’s judgment comes. But their confidence is based on lies and false hopes. They trust in their own plans and not in God, which will not protect them in the end (1 Corinthians 3:22-23 ^l).

v. 16: God offers a true foundation for His people. Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone . This stone is Jesus Christ, who is the only safe foundation for faith and hope (1 Peter 2:6-8 ^m). Whoever believes in Him will not panic or be ashamed, but will trust in God’s perfect timing.

v. 17: God will judge with fairness and honesty. Judgment will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet . He will test everyone’s life by His standard. The lies people trusted in will be swept away like a shelter destroyed by a storm. Only those who build their lives on God’s truth will stand (Psalm 94:15 ⁿ).

v. 18-19: The false hopes of the leaders will fail. Your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and when God’s judgment comes, they will not escape (Isaiah 28:18-19 ^o). The trouble will come again and again, and even hearing about it will bring fear. Their plans to avoid disaster will not work.

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v. 20: Their false security will prove useless. 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 . What they trusted in will not be enough to protect or comfort them.

v. 21: God will act in ways that surprise everyone. The Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim…that he may do his work, his strange work . God does not enjoy punishing His people, but He will do what is right. His judgment will be shocking, even to those who see it (Jeremiah 25:18 ^p).

v. 22: Isaiah warns the people to stop mocking God’s word. Be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong . If they continue to ignore His warnings, their punishment will be even greater. God has already decided to bring judgment, and no one can escape it.

Husbandry a Divine Art

In this passage, Isaiah uses a parable from farming to teach a lesson about God’s wisdom and ways. The prophet asks the people to listen carefully, just as Jesus often did when he told parables. The farmer works with patience and skill, following the right steps for each part of his work. In the same way, God acts with wisdom and care in all He does with people and nations.

v. 23: Isaiah calls for attention: Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech . He wants everyone to listen carefully, because what follows is important.

v. 24-25: The farmer does not plow the ground forever. Does the plowman plow all day to sow? No, he plows, breaks the ground, and then sows seed in the right way. He puts wheat in the best place and barley in the appointed place (Isaiah 28:24-25 ^q). The farmer knows each type of seed needs its own spot. This wisdom comes from God (Ezekiel 27:17 ^r).

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v. 26: The farmer learns his skills from God. For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him . Every good skill and wise decision comes from God.

v. 27-28: The farmer also knows how to thresh different crops. Fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, and bread-corn is bruised with the right tool (Isaiah 28:27-28 ^s). The farmer uses just enough force—never too much—so the food is not ruined. In the same way, God’s discipline is measured and wise. He knows what each person needs and never punishes more than necessary.

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v. 29: All this wisdom comes from God. This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working (Isaiah 28:29 ^t). God is perfect in wisdom and skill, both in nature and in guiding His people. Just as the farmer depends on God’s guidance, so should we trust God’s wisdom in all things (1 Corinthians 3:9; John 15:1 ^u).