READ: Is. 28:1-22: … The priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink …
This section begins with a reflection on God’s judgment over the proud, worldly ten-tribe kingdom (Ephraim). This message also applies to today’s worldly church, which no longer believes God at His Word but adapts that Word to its own understanding and desires. It reflects on the destruction of Samaria, which was carried out by Assyria as an instrument in the hand of the LORD.
At the same time, we read words of comfort in verses 5 and 6 for the faithful remnant. There is no total destruction and exile; a remnant remains. God Himself will be a crown for this remnant. He will ensure that the judges judge rightly again.
What about the two-tribe kingdom that remains after the exile of the ten-tribe kingdom? It is shocking: they display the same pattern—there too, people indulge in drink and become drunk (v.7)! Prophet, priest, and judge fail in their duties and defile their workspace with vomit.
The message of verses 9-13 is that the drunkards are mocking the prophet: What new message is he bringing now? Who benefits from so much emphasis on the commandments of the LORD? Are the addressed priests, prophets, and judges little children (v.9), who constantly need correction?
But then Isaiah also pronounces God’s judgment in verses 14-29. Instead of trusting in the LORD, they have made a covenant with Egypt (“the realm of death”) against the Assyrians (“the overwhelming scourge”), but it will not help them.
Nevertheless, the LORD Himself lays a tested, precious cornerstone in Zion: the house of David, from which Christ will come. Whoever believes in God, trusting in His work, will not be ashamed (v.16; 1 Pet. 2:6-8)! Those who put their trust in other powers will be swept away (v.18).
The LORD of hosts will set the foreign enemy in motion. He will “strangely enough” punish His own people (v.22).
What comfort do we have as a small church?
Sing: Ps. 147:3