Isaiah 28:1-4

We shall find the best illustration of the things here spoken by reading with it the prophecy of Hosea who had delivered the greater part of his prophecy somewhat about fifty years before this part of Isaiah's ministry. Ephraim, which represents the ten tribes, being settled in Samaria, a rich and flourishing country, waxed fat and kicked, and perverted the Lord's bounties into occasions of sin. The Lord therefore was now preparing an instrument to humble his people, and, in the king of Assyria, was about to bring up a mighty and strong one, as the Lord is pleased to call him, which should bring them down. Reader! what a sad thought, but how true it is, that from the propensity of our fallen nature, that which should restrain from sin, is made by us the very means of indulging in sin; and because a gracious God pours out a greater fulness of his blessings, we take therefrom a greater freedom to offend!