Isaiah 28
The prophet threateneth Ephraim for thier pride and drunkenness.
Isaiah 28:1 Wo be vnto the crowne of pryde, euen to the drunken people of Ephraim, whose great pompe is as a floure that fadeth away vpon the head of the valley of suche as be in wealth, and are ouerladen with wine. Isaiah 28:2 Behold, there commeth a vehement and sore day from the Lord, like an vnmeasurable hayle and perillous tempest, euen like the force of mightie and horrible waters that violently beareth downe all thinges. Isaiah 28:3 The crowne of the pryde of the drunken Ephraemites shalbe troden vnder foote: Isaiah 28:4 So that the floure of his fayrenesse and beautie whiche is in the head of the valley of fatnesse, shall fade away as doth an vntimely ripe figge before haruest: whiche when a man espieth, he loketh vpon it, and whyle it is yet in his hande he eateth it vp.
The residue shall be advanced in the Kingdom of Christ.
Isaiah 28:5 In that day shal the Lord of hoastes be the crowne of glory and diamonde of beautie vnto the residue of his people. Isaiah 28:6 He wylbe also a spirite of perfect knowledge to him that sitteth in iudgement, and strength vnto them that turne away the battayle to the gate [of the enemies.]
He rebuketh their error.
Isaiah 28:7 But they are out of the way by reason of wine, yea farre out of the way are they thorowe strong drinke: The priest also and the prophete are gone astray by the meanes of strong drinke, they are drunken with wine, they go amisse thorowe strong drinke, they fayle in propheciyng, and stumble in iudgement. Isaiah 28:8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthynesse, that no place is cleane.
Their untowardness to learn,
Isaiah 28:9 Whom then shall suche one teache knowledge? and whom shall he make to vnderstande the thing that he heareth? for they are as ignoraunt as young chyldren that are taken from the milke, and are weaned. Isaiah 28:10 For they that be suche, must take after one lesson, another lesson, after one commaundement, another commaundement, for one rule, another rule, after one instruction, another instruction, there a litle, and there a litle. Isaiah 28:11 For he that speaketh vnto this people, is euen as one that vseth rudenesse of speache, and a straunge language. Isaiah 28:12 If any man say vnto them, lo, this is the rest wherewith ye may ease hym that is weerie, this is the refreshing: they wyll not hearken. Isaiah 28:13 Therfore shall the word of the Lord be vnto them, lesson vpon lesson, commaundement vpon commaundement, rule vpon rule, instruction vpon instruction, there a litle, and there a litle: that they may go on and fall backwarde, be brused, tangled, and snared.
and their security.
Isaiah 28:14 Wherfore heare the word of the Lord ye mockers, ye that haue rule of this people whiche is at Hierusalem. Isaiah 28:15 Because ye haue sayd, We haue made a couenaunt with death, and with hell are we at agreement: and though there go foorth a sore plague, it shall not come vnto vs, for we haue made falsehood our refuge, and vnder vanitie are we hid.
Christ the sure foundation is promised.
Isaiah 28:16 Therfore thus saith the Lorde God, Beholde, I lay in Sion for a foundation a stone, euen a tryed stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: who so beleueth, let hym not be to hastie. Isaiah 28:17 Iudgement also wyll I laye to the rule, and righteousnesse to the balaunce, so that the hayle shall sweepe away as a broome your vayne confidence, and the priuie place of your refuge shall the waters runne ouer.
Their security shall be tried.
Isaiah 28:18 And thus the couenaunt that ye made with death, shalbe disanulled, and your agreement that ye made with hell shall not stand, yea when the sore plague goeth foorth, ye shalbe troden downe vnder it. Isaiah 28:19 From the tyme that it goeth foorth it shall take you away: for early in the morning euery day, yea both day and night shall it go thorowe, and when the noyse thereof is perceaued, it shall gender vexation. Isaiah 28:20 For the bed is narrowe and not large, and the couering so small that a man can not winde him selfe [vnder it.] Isaiah 28:21 For the Lord shall stand as in mount Perazim, and shalbe wroth like as in the valley Gibeon, that he may do his worke, his straunge worke, and bryng to passe his acte, his straunge acte. Isaiah 28:22 Nowe therefore see that ye be no mockers, lest your punishment increase: For I hearde of the Lorde of hoastes, that there shall come a short ende vpon the whole earth.
They are incited to the consideration of God's discreet providence.
Isaiah 28:23 Heare ye then, and hearken vnto my voyce, consider and ponder my speache. Isaiah 28:24 Doth not the husbandman plowe all the day, and openeth and breaketh the clottes of his grounde, that he may sowe? Isaiah 28:25 When he hath made it playne, wyll he not spreade abrode the fitches, and sowe comin, and cast in wheate by measure, and the appointed barlye and rye in their place? Isaiah 28:26 God wyll instruct hym to haue discretion, euen his God wyll teache hym. Isaiah 28:27 For fitches shall not be threshed with an harrowe, neither shall a cart wheele be brought thorowe the comin: but the fitches are beaten out with a staffe, and comin with a rodde. Isaiah 28:28 But the seede that bread is made of, is threshed, though it be not alway a threshing, and the cart wheele must be brought ouer it, lest he grinde it with his teeth. Isaiah 28:29 This also commeth of the Lorde of hoastes, which worketh with wonderfull wysdome, and bringeth excellent workes to passe.
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