Isaiah 28 - Introduction

The prophet threateneth Ephraim for their pride and drunkenness. The faithful residue shall be advanced in the kingdom of Christ: he rebuketh their error, their untowardness to learn, and their security. Christ the sure foundation is promised. Their security shall be tried. They are incited to the consideration of God's discreet providence.

Before Christ 725.

THE second discourse of the third book of Isaiah's prophesies, is contained in the six following Chapter s: for the general analysis we refer to the first note on the 24th chapter. Vitringa supposes that the whole discourse was delivered before the expedition of Sennacherib, and on occasion of some solemn embassy sent to Egypt, to implore the help of the Egyptians against the Assyrian. The parts of the first section contained in this chapter are four; first, we have a reproof of the Ephraimites and of the Jews, blinded by the divine judgment, looking round for human aid instead of the divine; which contains a denunciation of the destruction of Samaria and Jerusalem, Isaiah 28:1. Secondly, a promise of the restoration of the state, Isaiah 28:5. Thirdly, a new reproof of the same kind of men, who, not long before the time of the manifestation of the Messiah, should corrupt the doctrine of religion, and by their light carnal counsels consult for their safety and security, Isaiah 28:7. And fourthly, a defence of the divine oeconomy in the administration of the church, under a figure of a husbandman, diligently observing his seasons, Isaiah 28:23. The first part is two-fold, setting forth the fault of the Ephraimites, truly or mystically so called, Isaiah 28:1 and their punishment, Isaiah 28:2. The second describes the beauty and glory of the faithful, Isaiah 28:5. The third part proceeds in nearly the same manner as the first. In the first place, the corrupters of true religion, not long before the appearance of the Son of God, are described in lively colours, Isaiah 28:7. Then the punishment ordained for these men is set forth at large: first, spiritual, Isaiah 28:11 then temporal and external, Isaiah 28:14. In describing which latter punishment the prophet proceeds in such a manner, as, by appealing to the authors of those corrupt counsels, to place their crime before their eyes, and to convince them of it: Isaiah 28:14. About to denounce the punishment, he premises, that notwithstanding their vices, God would not neglect, at, that very time, to fulfil his great promise concerning the Messiah, Isaiah 28:16 while he does not so much denounce, as foretel, the great evils and calamities which should fall upon the incredulous, and the despisers of this salvation, Isaiah 28:17. The fourth part, which illustrates the oeconomy of God under the parable of a husbandman, contains an exordium demanding attention, Isaiah 28:23 and the parable itself, Isaiah 28:24. Vitringa.