Isaiah 28

This chapter begins with a denunciation of the approaching ruin of the Israelites by Shalmaneser, whose power is compared to a tempest or flood, and his keenness to the avidity with which one plucks and swallows the grape that is soonest ripe, Isaiah 28:1-4 . It then turns to the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, who were to continue a kingdom after the final captivity of their brethren; and gives first a favorable prognostication of their affairs under Hezekiah, Isaiah 28:5 , Isaiah 28:6 ; but soon changes to reproofs and threatenings for their intemperance and their profaneness, Isaiah 28:7 , Isaiah 28:8 . They are introduced as not only scornfully rejecting, but also mocking and ridiculing, the instructions of the prophet, Isaiah 28:9 , Isaiah 28:10 . To this God immediately retorts in terms alluding to their own mocking, but differently applied, Isaiah 28:11-13 . The prophet then addresses these scoffers, Isaiah 28:14 ; who considered themselves as perfectly secure from every evil, Isaiah 28:15 ; and assures them that there was no method under heaven but one, by which they could be saved, Isaiah 28:16 ; that every other vain resource should fail in the day of visitation, Isaiah 28:17 , Isaiah 28:18 . He then farther adds, that the judgments of God were particularly levelled against them; and that all the means to which they trusted for warding them off should be to no purpose, Isaiah 28:19 , Isaiah 28:20 ; as the Almighty, who, on account of his patience and long-suffering, is amiably described as unacquainted with punishing, had nevertheless determined to punish them, Isaiah 28:21 , Isaiah 28:22 . The prophet then concludes with a beautiful parable in explanation and defense of God's dealing with his people, Isaiah 28:23-29 .