Isaiah 28

Isaiah 28 is a chapter in the Book of Isaiah in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). It is primarily a prophetic oracle concerning Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, and Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. The chapter addresses themes of pride, drunkenness, false security, and the coming judgment of God, alongside a glimmer of hope for a remnant who will trust in a true and lasting foundation.

The oracle begins with a woe to "the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim" (Isaiah 28:1), referring to the northern kingdom's reliance on its fertile land and military strength, a pride fueled by their excessive drinking. This pride will be shattered by an overwhelming force, likened to a hailstorm and a destructive storm (Isaiah 28:2).

The prophet then turns to Jerusalem and its leaders, who are also criticized for their reliance on treaties and alliances with other nations rather than trusting in God. They are depicted as making a "covenant with death" and an "agreement with the grave" (Isaiah 28:15), believing they can escape the coming judgment.

However, amidst the pronouncements of doom, Isaiah introduces a contrasting image: a "precious cornerstone, a sure foundation" (Isaiah 28:16), laid by the Lord. This cornerstone represents a righteous leader or, more broadly, the foundation of true faith and justice upon which a lasting and secure future can be built. Those who believe in this foundation will not be dismayed.

The chapter concludes with further pronouncements of judgment, describing God's disciplinary action as a necessary process of refinement. God's judgment is presented as both severe and purposeful, ultimately aimed at purification and restoration. The closing verses employ agricultural imagery, comparing God's wisdom and timing to the skill of a farmer who knows when to plow, sow, and thresh his crops. This suggests that God's actions, though sometimes difficult to understand, are ultimately wise and designed for a specific purpose.