Isaiah 28:5,6

These two verses refer to some time in the future. Their purpose is to give hope to God’s true people during difficult periods. Although he is out of their sight, the *Lord himself is in command.

God’s judgement against the leaders of Samaria (Israel)

v7 Even priests and *prophets are drunks. They continue to swallow so much strong drink (alcohol) that they cannot walk properly. Their legs are out of control. So *prophets fail to understand any messages from God. And priests give stupid judgements. v8 Vomit (nasty liquid from the mouth) covers the tables where they sit. Not a clean spot remains. v9 The drunks say about Isaiah, ‘Whom is he trying to teach? Nobody can understand what he says. His words are suitable only for babies. v10 What he says is complete nonsense.’

v11 But the *Lord will in fact use other sounds that the drunks cannot understand. He will use a foreign language to speak to these people. And it will be the language of enemies who will attack them. v12 Earlier the *Lord had told these drunks where to rest. ‘Tired people can find rest here. This is where to enjoy true rest.’ But they were not willing to listen to the *Lord. v13 That is why he will teach you letter by letter. And line by line. And lesson by lesson. But you will trip with every step that you take. Enemies will hurt you. They will catch you in a trap. You will become their prisoner.