This chapter must be assigned (Isaiah 28:1) to a date prior to the capture of Samaria by the Assyrians (722 b.c.) and fall of the northern kingdom. 1-6. Samaria's luxury and self-indulgence pave the way to ruin. 7-10. Judah likewise is given up to indulgence and heeds not the prophet's warning, 1... [ Continue Reading ]
RV 'Woe to the crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim, and to the fading flower of his glorious beauty which is on the head,' etc. The city of Samaria crowning its fair valley is destined to fade and pass away like the flower-garlands of her revellers.... [ Continue Reading ]
A MIGHTY.. ONE] viz. the Assyrian, Jehovah's agent.... [ Continue Reading ]
HASTY FRUIT] RV 'first-ripe fig': a delicacy eagerly devoured.... [ Continue Reading ]
In place of the false glory destined to perish, Jehovah is to be a true glory for the faithful remnant.... [ Continue Reading ]
True administration of justice within, and strength to repel the invader. TURN, etc.] RV 'turn back the battle at the gate.'... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY ALSO] the men of Judah. THEY ERR IN VISION, etc.] They are drunk when engaged in the sacred duties of their office; the tables they have just left prove it (Isaiah 28:8).... [ Continue Reading ]
They mock the prophet; his teaching is only fit for babes!... [ Continue Reading ]
The people's mockery continued. _Must be_] RV 'is.' PRECEPT.. LINE] The words in Heb. are monosyllables, such as would be used in teaching little children.... [ Continue Reading ]
Isaiah's retort, Jehovah will teach them through a foreign invader. RV 'Nay, but by men of strange lips and with another tongue,' etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS THE REST, etc.] cp. Isaiah 30:15. Jehovah through His prophet had pointed out the way of peace and recovery for the nation that already under Ahaz had suffered much through foreign alliance. But the politicians of Judah were without patient trust in Jehovah, and were preparing further troubl... [ Continue Reading ]
RV 'Therefore shall the word of the Lord be unto them,' etc. The teaching they refused will prove a burden and a stumbling block.... [ Continue Reading ]
MADE A COVENANT] they thought that by their policy they had, as it were, bought off death and Hades—made themselves secure. LIES, etc.] Though the words are put into the mouth of the politicians, the point of view is the prophet's.... [ Continue Reading ]
ZION] as being Jehovah's foundation, shall stand firm. The imagery was suggested by the large stones of the Temple. SHALL NOT MAKE HASTE] i.e. hasten hither and thither to seek security by alliances (e.g. with Egypt), but may wait confidently on Jehovah. The Apostles saw the ultimate spiritual fulfi... [ Continue Reading ]
RV 'Judgment also will I make the line and righteousness the plummet.' Righteousness is the standard by which Jehovah will try conduct. The sense of what follows is that the false refuges and alliances (Isaiah 28:18), by which men seek to secure themselves, will be swept away.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM.. FORTH] RV 'As often as it passeth through.' A VEXATION, etc.] RV 'nought but terror to understand the message,' which they before rejected (Isaiah 28:12); it is now nothing but terrifying rumours.... [ Continue Reading ]
Depicts in an expressive figure the failure ending in restless discomfort and distress, towards which the policy of the dominant party is tending.... [ Continue Reading ]
PERAZIM.. GIBEON] referring to David's victories over the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:20; 1 Chronicles 14:16). Then God interposed on behalf of His people, His STRANGE WORK is His work of judgment against them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Their scornful attitude will only lead to heavier foreign oppression. LEST YOUR BANDS] They are acting in such a way as to fix the Assyrian yoke more firmly upon Judah, and render it more galling. CONSUMPTION] RV 'consummation': see Isaiah 10:22; Isaiah 10:23.... [ Continue Reading ]
The implied answer is No; he doth not do these things continually.... [ Continue Reading ]
FITCHES] (i.e. fennel-seed) and CUMMIN were the smallest and most delicate seeds. CAST IN, etc.] RV 'put in the WHEAT in rows, and the barley in the appointed place, and the spelt in the border thereof.'... [ Continue Reading ]
'Is bread _corn_ crushed? Nay, he.. and though the wheel of his cart and his horses scatter it, he doth not grind it.'... [ Continue Reading ]
WORKING] RV 'wisdom.' In Isaiah 28:24 the skill of the agriculturalist in varying his operations is treated as a reflexion and parable of the divine wisdom. Delicate grains are threshed but not crushed so heavily as to spoil them (Isaiah 28:27); so Jehovah's judgments are not for destruction, but t... [ Continue Reading ]