Isaiah 28
Isaiah 28 is a message that contains God’s warning and instruction toward the divided kingdoms of north and south Israel. It unfolds in sequence, mainly addressing the pride and downfall of the northern kingdom (Ephraim), along with warnings concerning Jerusalem (Judah), and scenes in which God establishes the true foundation and order.
1verseWoe to the crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim, and to the fading flower of his glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fertile valley of those who are overcome with wine!
2verseBehold, the Lord has one who is mighty and strong. Like a storm of hail, a destroying storm, and like a storm of mighty waters overflowing, he will cast them down to the earth with his hand.
3verseThe crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trodden under foot.
4verseThe fading flower of his glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fertile valley, shall be like the first-ripe fig before the summer, which someone picks and eats as soon as he sees it.
5verseIn that day, the LORD of Armies will become a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the residue of his people,
6verseand a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.
7verseThey also reel with wine, and stagger with strong drink. The priest and the prophet reel with strong drink. They are swallowed up by wine. They stagger with strong drink. They err in vision. They stumble in judgment.
8verseFor all tables are completely full of filthy vomit and filthiness.
9verseWhom will he teach knowledge? To whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts?
10verseFor it is precept on precept, precept on precept; line on line, line on line; here a little, there a little.
11verseBut he will speak to this nation with stammering lips and in another language,
12verseto whom he said, “This is the resting place. Give rest to the weary,” and “This is the refreshing;” yet they would not hear.
13verseTherefore the LORD’s word will be to them precept on precept, precept on precept; line on line, line on line; here a little, there a little; that they may go, fall backward, be broken, be snared, and be taken.
14verseTherefore hear the LORD’s word, you scoffers, that rule this people in Jerusalem:
15verse“Because you have said, ‘We have made a covenant with death, and we are in agreement with Sheol. When the overflowing scourge passes through, it won’t come to us; for we have made lies our refuge, and we have hidden ourselves under falsehood.’”
16verseTherefore the Lord GOD says, “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone of a sure foundation. He who believes shall not act hastily.
17verseI will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plumb line. The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place.
18verseYour covenant with death shall be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol shall not stand. When the overflowing scourge passes through, then you will be trampled down by it.
19verseAs often as it passes through, it will seize you; for morning by morning it will pass through, by day and by night; and it will be nothing but terror to understand the message.”
20verseFor the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket is too narrow to wrap oneself in.
21verseFor the LORD will rise up as on Mount Perazim. He will be angry as in the valley of Gibeon; that he may do his work, his unusual work, and bring to pass his act, his extraordinary act.
22verseNow therefore don’t be scoffers, lest your bonds be made strong; for I have heard a decree of destruction from the Lord, GOD of Armies, on the whole earth.
23verseGive ear, and hear my voice! Listen, and hear my speech!
24verseDoes he who plows to sow plow continually? Does he keep turning the soil and breaking the clods?
25verseWhen he has leveled its surface, doesn’t he plant the dill, and scatter the cumin seed, and put in the wheat in rows, the barley in the appointed place, and the spelt in its place?
26verseFor his God instructs him in right judgment and teaches him.
27verseFor the dill isn’t threshed with a sharp instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned over the cumin; but the dill is beaten out with a stick, and the cumin with a rod.
28verseBread flour must be ground; so he will not always be threshing it. Although he drives the wheel of his threshing cart over it, his horses don’t grind it.
29verseThis also comes out from the LORD of Armies, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in wisdom.
Verses 1–6: The Pride of Ephraim and Its Judgment
It begins with a warning against the proud leaders of the city of Samaria, known as the “crown of the proud” of “all” in the northern kingdom of Israel, especially Ephraim. Grasping at abundance and power, they forgot God and fell into sin; in the end, God comes and judges them. However, even after the judgment, those who remain (the holy ones) are promised new glory and beauty.
Verses 7–13: Rebuke of Judah’s Leaders
This section is a rebuke of Jerusalem—of Judah’s priests and prophets. It points out the irresponsibility and confusion of leaders who have become spiritually ignorant because they are drunk. God gave them lessons that were easy to understand, but they listen and do not accept them; instead, they criticize and slander. In the end, even God’s word comes to them in the manner of judgment.
Verses 14–22: False Security and the True Foundation
The leaders of Jerusalem imagine that they can escape death and disaster, relying on a false covenant (an illusion). God declares that He Himself has laid a sure cornerstone in Zion, and He judges through righteousness and justice. It conveys that false safety will collapse and that God’s truth will be revealed.
Verses 23–29: The Parable of the Wise Farmer
In the final portion, it teaches through a parable about the wisdom of a farmer who sows and harvests, showing that God also rules each person and situation appropriately. It calls on you to realize that everything is under God’s appointed order and wisdom.
Points for Reflection
- Consider whether you treat God’s Word lightly, or whether you are content with a false reality.
- Remember in your heart that the true foundation and security come only from God.
- Even amid the many different circumstances of life, trust God’s wisdom and guidance, and accept them.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Check whether the center and foundation of your life are set on God’s Word.
- Even in times of difficulty and confusion, develop an attitude of believing in and relying on God’s order and providence.
- In everyday life, let’s reaffirm in our hearts the intention to listen for God’s voice and obey.
