Devotional: Isaiah 28:1-13

Today’s passage: Isaiah 28:1-13

Helpful thoughts:

• The “drunkenness of Ephraim carried through the people, the kings, even the priests and prophets.  No leaders could be trusted.  The people of Israel could not learn God’s word because their own leaders couldn’t teach it.
• The words in verse 10 (“Precept”, “Line”, Here a “little”) are all one syllable words in the Hebrew.
  • Isaiah is implying that the teachers in Israel are so drunk they can only make out one syllable words and speak so slowly and unintelligibly that they speak as if to babies…who can only babble back in kind.
    • As a result, God promises to use the Gentiles to teach Judah His Word, in the same way He taught Israel.  But He isn’t talking about preaching.  He’s talking about the Assyrians (For Israel) and Babylonians (For Judah) coming in to bring judgment.
• The words (or letters) from verse 10 are repeated in verse 13 (“Precepts”, “lines”, “here a little”).  And are translated as the same words in English.  However, remember that these words or letters are now being said by the foreign tongues of invading enemies.
  • When compared to the language of the Assyrians, these words would have been translated as, “Go out”, “Wait”, “Servant listen”.  These are simplistic instructions being given to a people who are now the servants of their conquerors.

Questions to consider:

1. A person may believe they are swallowing down the wine (Or, that they are in control of their sinful actions).  But, how does verse 7 correct this perspective?  What is swallowing and who is being swallowed?
2. Is this passage given to help us learn how to have a good teaching ministry or is it meant to tell Judah how they will be humbled in judgment?  Why is context so important when we use verses from here or there for instruction?  What dangers could arise when we take verses out of context?
3. What does God insert in verses 5-6?  What “proud crown” must we be rid of in order to enjoy the “crown of glory”?