Isaiah 28

A Prophesy of the destruction of the Kingdom of Israel by the Assyrians, ver.1.etc. but that the Lord would bring the remnant of his people unto honour. A complaint of the drunkenness of those of Juda, 7,8. And their unteachableness, 9,10. A threatening, that they shall be overmastered by strange nations, 11, etc. Because they mocked at the word of God, and at his threatening, 14. A most glorious description of the Messiahs person, 16. Asore threatening against the people of the Jews. 17, etc. An exhortation to amendment of life, 22. As a skilful husbandmen knoweth his time and way of acting, so doth the Lord much more know it, who instructeth the husbandman in it, 24, etc.

1. Wo to the proud Crown of the drunkard of Ephraim, whose glorious ornament is a flower falling down, which is on the head of the very fat valley, of them that are smitten of wine. [Heb. Wo to the Crown of pride, etc. It is a description of the Kingdom of the ten tribes of Israel, when Samaria was the Chief city, which he here calleth the head of the fat valley: because it lay upon a mountain, and below it was a very fruitful valley. See below vers.3. Hos.5.5. and 7.10. (whose glorious ornament is a flower falling) or, a withering flower. That is, whose glorious state and condition (to wit, Ephraims, or the kingdom of Samaria’s state and condition) which heretofore flourished so mightily, but withereth and fadeth now, and will soon utterly decay and perish: (which) to wit, flower: (is on the head of the very fat valley) which is set upon a very fat valley: of the that are smitten of wine) that is, who are daily replenished with wine, so that their brains are as it were smitten and wounded by wine.]

2. Behold, the LORD hath a strong and mighty one, [To wit, the King of Assyria, by whom the Lord hath purposed to punish the ten tribes of Israel, and to destroy their land] there is as a flood of hail, a gate of destruction: [this signifieth the ruine and destruction of the whole state of the Kingdom of Israel. In the city-gates Magistrates did use to sit in judgement. Or it may be taken thus: a gate of destruction; that is, a wide opening unto ruine or destruction. Others a tempest of destruction] as a flood of strong waters [or of many waters] that overflow, will he cast them down to the earth with the hand. [that is, with power, or might. Salmasser in few years time subdued the Kingdom of the ten tribes, 2 Kings 18:10,11.]

3. The crowns of the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden under feet. [or, the crown, the pride of the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden under feet.

4. And the falling flower of his, [to wit, Ephraims] glorious ornament, which is on the head of the very fat valley, shall be as the soon-ripe [or, too soon ripe, ripe before due time] fruit before the summer, [or, before it is summer; that is, before its season] which, when any man seeth it [Heb. (when) the seer seeth it] while it is yet in his hand, [that is, presently. Or, as soon as he getteth it into his hand (Heb. Palm)] he swalloweth it up. [Or, he swalloweth it down. The meaning of this verse is, that Ephraim shall be suddenly and with great pleasure be devoured of his enemies.

5. In that day [To wit, when the Lord shall have poured out his wrath upon the wicked] shall the LORD of hosts be for a glorious crown, and for a beautiful garland, [that is, the Lord shall bring them to honour, and beautify or adorn them most gloriously] unto them that are left [Heb. Unto, or, for the remnant] of his people.

6. And for a spirit of Judgement, to him that sitteth in judgement. [Or, to him that shall sit over the judgement. That is, God shall richly communicate his holy spirit unto the Judges and Rulers of his people, that they may rightly govern, and protect their subjects well] and for strength unto them that turn away the battle to the gate. [That is, God still also gave unto his people valiant champions, to sight against their enemies, and to beat and drive them back to the very gates of their enemies. When men are able to beat and chase their enemies unto and into their own gates, and are able to make them keep in, and not stir out, then those that beat or chase them in save their own borders.]

7. And also these [To wit, many among the Jews, or of the tribe of Juda] do erre through wine, [or, in wine. That is, they have so wholly given themselves to drunkenness, and to carnal pleasures and delights, that they are almost bereaved of all their wit. This maybe also understood of spiritual drunkenness, whereby men be drowned in sin and wickedness, as below chap.29.9. See Prov.20.on verse.1.] and they go astray through strong drink: the Priest [or, Prince, Ruler. See Genes.41.on verse 45.] and the Prophet [to wit, the false Prophets, as below chap.29.10.] erre through strong drink; they are swallowed up of wine, [the meaning is, as they have taken in or swallow and destroy them] they go astray through strong drink, they erre in vision, [that is, the Priests erre in expounding the prophesies, they wrest and turn them as they lift, and after their own pleasures and fancies] they stagger in judgement. [Or, stumble in judging.]

8. For all tables are full of vomit [Or, are filled with spuming] (and) dung, [or, filthiness] so that there is no place (clean.) [Understand withal, but all places are be spitted and bespawled or defiled. Or so that there is no place more; to wit, which is not polluted or defiled.]

9. Whom should he [To wit, the Lord by his Prophets] (then) teach knowledge? [to wit, the knowledge of necessary things, or, of things worthy to be known] and whom should he make to understand the thing that is heard? [Heb. Hearing. The meaning is, that which I Isaiah have heard of the Lord. Or praying. See below chap.53.1.] them that are weaned from the milk? Them that are drown from the beasts? [the Prophet doth intimate, that they are altogether so full of wind, as that they are like unto little children, that are uncapable of instruction.]

10. For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little. [These are the words of God by the mouth of the Prophet, and this is the meaning of them: one precept or commandment is given after another, and yet it doth not avail: for they are children in understanding, both old and young.]

11. Therefore by ridiculous lips and by another tongue shall he speak unto this people. [The meaning is, forasmuch as this people would not suffer themselves to be instructed by the plain word of God, therefore he will deal with them after another manner, cause them to be spoken to in an unknown language, for a punishment of their unthankfulness and obstinacy. See 1 Cor.14.21. and below chap.33.19. (with credulous lips, and &c.) That is, with strange languages, or tongues; for men do use to laugh at them whom they do not understand. Others, by ridiculousness of lips. The meaning of these words of God, as also of the next following, is, that he would visit them with foreign or outlandish enemies and armies, whose language they should not understand.]

12. Unto whom [That is, unto which people] he [to wit, the Lord by his ministers the prophets] said, this is the rest, give rest to them that are weary, and this is the refreshing: [that is, thus shall ye attain unto rest and peace, and obtain the blessing of the Lord, namely, if ye comfort and relieve those that are weary. See above chap.1.vers.17. or, this is the rest, that ye keep Gods commandments, and in doing so you will bring your wearied countries unto rest] but they would not hear.

13. Therefore shall the word of the LORD be unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little: [The meaning is, because they have despised the word of the LORD, therefore they shall be left in their ignorance and folly, and be like unto little children, that must be taught one precept after another, and one line or rule after another, &c.] that they may go and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. [That is, that they may fall into destruction and all kind of misery that doth commonly follow, when men will not receive and embrace the word of God.]

14. Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scorners; ye rulers over this people which is at Jerusalem. [Heb. Ye men of scorning, or, mocking: ye rulers of this people.]

15. Because ye say, we have made a covenant [See the Annotat. Genes.15.on vers.18.] with death, and with hell have made prudent agreement: [or we have made a consideration with the grave or hell. It might also be read thus, according to the modern style, we have, or hold intelligence, or correspondence with hell, or the grave. The pleasures and honours of this world do make the wicked commonly so presumptuous, and so bold, that they presume that they need not fear either death or hell, so that they dare even challenge and defy the Almighty himself. See above chap.5.19. and Job 5.on ver.23.] when the overflowing scourge [he meaneth the army of the King of Babel, which as a flood of waters should overwhelm and cover the land] shall pass through, [others passeth through, or, goeth through (the land)] it shall not come unto us; for we have made lying, [thus the prophet calleth the designs and enterprises of this people, which they conceived would not fail or miscarry] our refuge, and under falsehood [that is hypocrisy] have we bid our selves.

16. Therefore thus saith the Lord, behold, I lay in Zion a corner-stone, [Heb. I am he (that) foundeth a stone in Zion. Christ is the true corner-stone of Zion, that is, of his Church; which secureth us against death, hell, and all misery and calamity. He ought & that justly, to be the Jews comfort and refuge, not their lies and hypocrisy] a tried stone [& consequently precious and costly. See 1 Pet.2.6. ( a similitude taken from precious Stones, which upon trial are found to be precious) and fit, and sufficient to bear up the building of the whole Church. Others, a touch-stone] a precious cover-stone] Compare Psal.118.22. Matth.21.42. Acts 4:11. Rom.9.33. and 10.11. Exod.2.20. 1 Pet.2.6,7,8.] which is indeed surely founded: [Heb. Which is founded; that is, which is deeply founded or to good purpose] who so liveth, [to wit in Christ, as the Apostle expoundeth it, 1 Pet.2.6.] he shall not make hast, [others, he maketh not hast. Understand withal, and therefore he cometh not to shame, Rom.5.4,5. But obtaineth at length the blessed end or issue which he waited for with patience; being satisfied and contented, looking for no other comfort and refuge then Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul Rom.9.33. and the Apostle Peter 1 Pet.2.6. put for these words, he shall not make hast, these he shall not be ashamed, having respect to the sense or meaning of the words.]

17. And I will lay judgement to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: [God threateneth in these words, that he will deal with his people according to their works. See 2 Kings 21.on vers.13.] and the hail shall sweep away, [as it were with besoms or brooms] the refuge of lying [or, of lies; that is, the false refuge. The hail, as also presently after the waters signify here the army of the Babylonians, as above vers.2. Some expound this and some following verses also further of that final destruction and desolation of the Jews by the Romans] and the waters shall overrun, [or overflow, overwhelm] the biding place.

18. And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, [Heb. Be pitched over, to be chalked over, or be smeared over, or be daubed over. That is, it shall be destroyed, or, disannulled] and your prudent agreement with hell [or, with the grave] shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass thorough, then shall ye be trodden down by it. [Heb. Shall ye be trodden down to them.]

19. From the time when it [To wit, the overflowing scourge or the flood] passeth through it, it shall take you away [to wit, the wicked and obstinate men] for it shall pass through every morning, by day and by night: [the meaning is, it shall come in the morning, and so continue all day and all night. That is, it shall not cease, but last from time to time, Heb. In morning] and it shall be that to understand the report, [Heb. The hearing; that is, the report of the judgements that shall come upon you] shall be more trouble, [the meaning is, when ye shall be confounded and ruined, and be carried away captive to Babylon, it shall make all those that hear it afraid. Others take it thus, the bare report of the enemies coming shall so affright you, as that you will not be able to know what to do, or what counsel to take.]

20. For the bed shall be shorten then that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering shall be too narrow, when a man setteth himself [Heb. Gathereth himself; to wit, by contracting the body] (under it) the meaning is, ye shall endure want and misery in the Babylonish captivity. Some apply it to the refuge and covering of falsehood, whereof mention is made ver.15. and 17.]

21. For the Lord shall rise p, as on mount Perazim, [On this mount did God formerly smite the Philistines by David, 2 Sam.5.20. and 1 Chron.14.11.] he shall be urged, [or, he shall be moved: that is, he shall be wroth] as (in) the valley of Gibeon: See Jos.10.10. and 1 Chron.14.16.] that he may do his work, his work shall be strange, and that he may do his act, his act shall be strange. [God is a gracious and merciful God, who is slow to wrath, and flow to punish, and therefore in comparison of his former loving kindness & mercy continually shewed unto his people, his work of justice or punishment is called a strange work.]

22. Now then mock not, lest your bands[Wherewith the Babylonians shall bind you] be made faster: the meaning is, by daily sinning are your bands made daily faster and faster, but by sorrow and repentance for sin, they are made looser: Therefore would you be eased of your bands, then returns unto the Lord and cease from sinning] for I have heard from the LORD Lord of hosts a consumption, that is firmly concluded [or, a conclusion. So above chap.10.ver.22. and 23. That is, which is firmerly concluded and determined by the unchangeable God, and shall surely come to pass] upon the whole land.

23. Give ear, and hear my voice, hearken, and hear my speeches:

24. Doth the plowman plow all the day? [That is, always] doth he open and break the clods of his ground (all the day)? [or, doth he cast up in furrows, or, doth he make surrows always? The meaning of this verse is, as a skilful husbandman knoweth the time when he should plow till, sow, and harrow: So doth God likewise know his time when he should assay or effect one thing or another to or about his Church, to preserve the godly, and to punish the wicked.]

25. Is it not so? When he hath-made plain the uppermost (part) thereof, [Heb. The face thereof: to wit, of the earth, or of the land or ground] then he streweth fitches [what kind of seed it properly was, is very uncertain] and spreadeth Cummin, [or he casteth in Cummin] or he casteth in of the best [or, noblest] wheat, [Heb. Prince, or, princely, lordly wheat. So is wheat called, because it is the Prince, or King, that is, the chiefest seed among all seeds] or choice [Heb. Marked out] Harley, or, salt, each in its [to wit, the seeds: or, in her; to wit, the earths, or the grounds] place, [that is, each in its proper field or ground.]

26. And his God instructeth him concerning the manner, [That is, how he should do. The Hebrew word signifieth here the way or manner how each thing ought to be done] he teacheth him. [that is, God teacheth him, to wit, the husbandman to do as he ought; he teacheth and instructeth him how he should deal with every kind of feed or gain, according to its nature and kind, at what time of the year he is to sow it, and what time of the year he is to reap it.]

27. For fitches are not threshed with the threshing-cart, neither is the cart-wheel suffered to go about upon the cumin, but fitches are beaten out with a staff, and cumin with a stick. [The Jews did in former time thresh their seed-fruits or their grain divers or sundry ways. Over some seed or grain they dragged a threshing-cart, or threshing sledges; over some they drew or thrust a wheel; some they caused to be trodden out by oxen; the seed that growth in little shells or bladders, they did beat out with sticks or staves. So then this is the meaning of this verse; as the husbandman doth not thresh the seed all one way, but diverse; So neither doth God always punish one way, but smitteth and punisheth one sorter then another, according to the nature and quality of the offence.]

28. Bread-(corn) must be bruised, but he [To wit, the husbandman] doth not thresh it threshing continually: [Heb. Everlasting , always, neither doth he break (it with), the wheel of his cart, [or neither doth the wheel of his cart break it] neither doth he bruise it with his horses. In the 27.verse he shewed what judgement or discretion the husbandman useth in threshing of several sorts of feed or gain: here he sheweth what discretion the husbandman useth in handling of sit to make bread of: yet he doth not bruise it by long and often threshing to and again, for so it would be spoiled in the threshing floor, and be good for nothing: therefore wheat, after it is threshed, must be ground and bruised small with mill-stones. Therefore the husbandman knowing and understanding this full well, he useth discretion and understanding in dealing with bread-corn or bread-feed. Now this judgement or understanding and discretion cometh also from the Lord. In the Hebrew the word bread is used for bread-corn, as also Psal.104.15.]

29. This also cometh forth from the Lord of Hosts: [To wit, this general destruction, whereof mention is made vers.22. cometh also from the Lord. See 2 Sam.16.10. and 2 Kings 28.25.] he is wonderful in counsel, he is great indeed.] Heb. He maketh the counsel wonderful, he maketh the deed, or the being great. See the Annotat. Job 5:12. and 38.2. The meaning is, God is glorious indeed, or working, causing his counsel and purpose to be put in practice, and to get as it were its being: he performeth or executeth all things gloriously. Compare Jerem.32.19.]