Isaiah 28 - Building on the Sure Foundation

 

ISAIAH 28

Building on the Sure Foundation

1 Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!

2 Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.

3 The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:

4 And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.

5 In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,

6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.

7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.

9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

13 But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

14 Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.

15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.

19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

20 For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.

21 For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.

22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.

23 Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.

24 Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? Doth he open and break the clods of his ground?

25 When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and rie in their place?

26 For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.

27 For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.

28 Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen.

29 This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

This chapter contains warnings about pride, spiritual rebellion, false security, God's judgment, and ultimately the sure foundation God provides.

Although Isaiah was speaking to people living thousands of years ago, the principles are remarkably relevant to us.

People have always looked for something upon which to build their lives. Some trust money. Some trust education. Some trust government.

Some trust relationships. Some trust their career. Some trust their own abilities; some trust religion. But Isaiah asks us to consider a more important question: What happens when the thing we are trusting cannot hold us up?

 

I. GOD WARNS AGAINST THE PRIDE THAT COMES BEFORE JUDGMENT

Vs: 1: “Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower…”

The word “woe” is serious. It is a word of warning. It communicates impending judgment. Isaiah is speaking about Ephraim, which represents the northern kingdom of Israel. The northern kingdom had enjoyed prosperity. Samaria, its capital, was situated in a beautiful location. The people had experienced abundance. But prosperity had produced pride.

Notice the phrase: “the crown of pride.” They were wearing their prosperity like a crown. They had begun to believe that because they were successful, they were secure. But Isaiah says their beauty was like “a fading flower.” A flower may be beautiful today, but its beauty is temporary.

The same thing is true of earthly success. A person may be successful today and gone tomorrow. A nation may be powerful today and weak tomorrow. A business may flourish today and collapse tomorrow. A church may be large today and struggling tomorrow. A person may be healthy today and facing difficulties tomorrow. Earthly things are temporary.

But God's Word endures forever. Isaiah 40:8 says: “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.”

That is one of the great lessons of Isaiah 28. Do not build your confidence on something that is fading.

A. Pride causes us to overestimate our security.

The people of Ephraim had become intoxicated with their prosperity. And Isaiah uses drunkenness as both a literal and spiritual picture.

They were drunk with wine, but they were also drunk with themselves. They had become intoxicated with their own accomplishments. And that is possible for us as well. A person can become intoxicated with success. A church can become intoxicated with numbers. A preacher can become intoxicated with popularity.

A business owner can become intoxicated with wealth. A nation can become intoxicated with military strength. A person can become intoxicated with education. None of those things are necessarily sinful. But when they become the source of our confidence, they become dangerous.

B. God can remove what pride thinks is permanent.

Look at verse 2: “Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.

Isaiah is speaking of God's coming instrument of judgment. Historically, this points toward the Assyrian threat. The Assyrians were a terrifying military power. And God would use them as an instrument of judgment against His rebellious people.

The important lesson is this: God is sovereign over nations. Assyria did not ultimately control history. God did. The Assyrian king did not have the final word. God did. Political leaders do not have the final word. God does. That does not mean every political event is easy for us to understand.

But it means we can rest in God's sovereignty. Proverbs 21:1 says: “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

God is never surprised by world events. God is never nervous about tomorrow. God is never sitting in heaven wondering what will happen next. He is sovereign. God is Omniscient, Omnipresent, as well as Omnipotent.

C. God preserves a remnant.

Now notice verses 5-6. “In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people…”

Here is the contrast. Ephraim had a fading crown. But God gives His people a lasting crown. The difference is enormous. One crown is based on human accomplishment. The other is based on God Himself.

One fades. The other endures. One produces pride. The other produces worship. That is something we must remember. The greatest blessing in life is not what God gives us. It is God Himself.

Now Isaiah moves from the pride of Ephraim to another problem. The problem is not simply that the people were proud. The problem was that their spiritual leaders had become corrupted, and that brings us to our second major truth.

II. SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP BECOMES DANGEROUS WHEN IT LOSES MORAL AND SPIRITUAL CLARITY

Isaiah 28:7-13

Verse 7 says: “But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way…”Now Isaiah turns his attention toward priests and prophets. These were supposed to be spiritual leaders. They were supposed to teach God's Word.

They were supposed to provide spiritual direction. But they were impaired.

Verse 7 says: “the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink…” And verse 8 gives us an unforgettable description: “For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.

Isaiah is deliberately graphic. Why? Because sin is ugly. We sometimes try to make sin look attractive. The world does. Advertising does. Entertainment does. Culture does. But God does not. God shows sin for what it really is.

A. Leaders influence people.

There is a principle here that applies far beyond alcohol. People who influence others must take their spiritual responsibility seriously.

Parents influence children. Pastors influence congregations. Teachers influence students. Older Christians influence younger Christians. Church members influence one another.

What we do matters. What we tolerate matters. What we teach matters. What we model matters.

James 3:1 says: “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” Those who teach others carry a serious responsibility.

B. Spiritual confusion produces spiritual error.

Verse 7 says: “they err in vision; they stumble in judgment.”

Notice the connection. Their personal corruption affected their spiritual judgment. Sin clouds spiritual discernment. That is why Christians must never say: “It’s only a little sin.”

There is no such thing as a harmless sin. Sin affects our thinking. Sin affects our judgment. Sin affects our testimony. Sin affects our relationships. Sin affects our usefulness. Sin affects our ability to discern God's will.

Proverbs 14:34 says: “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

C. They became irritated by the simplicity of God's Word.

Now look at verses 9-10. “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.”

Then comes the famous statement: “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.”

The people were essentially mocking Isaiah. They were saying: “Are you talking to us like we are children?” “You keep giving us commandments.” “You keep giving us rules.” “You keep teaching us God's Word.” “We have heard enough.”

The irony is profound. God's people had become so spiritually immature that they resented being taught.

That is a warning to us. A mature Christian never outgrows the Word of God. The Bible is not spiritual kindergarten. The Bible is God's revelation. We should never become bored with Scripture. We should never reach the point where we say: “I already know that. There is always something more to learn.

Psalm 119:105 says: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” The Bible is not merely a book we read. It is the Word by which we live.

D. When people reject God's plain instruction, judgment follows.

Verse 12 says: “This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.”

Notice those last four words: “yet they would not hear.” That is the problem. God had spoken. They refused to listen. God offered rest. They refused it.  God offered refreshing. They rejected it. This is one of the saddest conditions in Scripture:

A person can hear God's truth and still refuse God's truth. Hearing is not the same as obeying.

James 1:22 says: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

We can sit in church every week and still refuse to obey God. We can own ten Bibles and never surrender our lives to the Bible. We can listen to sermons and refuse to change. We can know Scripture and still resist its authority.

The issue is not merely: “Have I heard God's Word? The issue is: “What am I doing with what I have heard?”

Are we listening to God? Not merely hearing sermons and not merely reading verses. Are we listening? Is there something God has already told us to do that we are refusing to do? Is there forgiveness we know we need to offer?

Is there sin we know we need to confess? Is there a relationship we need to repair? Is there a habit we need to abandon?

Is there a command we have been avoiding? God's Word does not merely inform us. It transforms us when we submit to it.

The people of Judah had heard God's warning, but instead of trusting God, they developed another strategy. They decided that they could create their own security. That leads us to the third major truth.

III. HUMAN BEINGS OFTEN CREATE FALSE SECURITY WHEN THEY REFUSE TO TRUST GOD

Isaiah 28:14-15 Verse 14 says: “Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.” The leaders of Jerusalem are now addressed.  These leaders had heard Isaiah. But they rejected him.

And then verse 15 reveals what they were trusting. “Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement…

What does that mean? The language is figurative. They were convinced they had devised a way to escape the coming judgment. They believed their political strategy would save them. They were apparently looking toward an alliance with Egypt as a means of protection against Assyria. Their confidence was not in God. Their confidence was in political maneuvering. They essentially said, “We have this handled. “We have a plan.” “We have an alliance “We have a strategy. “We will survive. But God says their confidence was misplaced.

Verse 15 continues: “when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves.”

That is one of the most powerful statements in the chapter: “We have made lies our refuge.” A refuge is supposed to be a place of safety. A refuge is where you run when the storm comes. But they had made a lie their refuge.

And God says, "You are hiding under something that cannot protect you."

IV. EVERY FALSE FOUNDATION WILL EVENTUALLY BE EXPOSED

Isaiah 28:16-17 is the heart of the chapter.

God says: “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation…”

Notice the contrast. They said: “We have made lies our refuge. God says: “I lay in Zion…a sure foundation.”

They had a false refuge, but God provides a sure foundation. They believed a lie, while God offers truth. They trusted in political alliances, but God offers Himself. Isaiah states, “He that believeth shall not make haste,” suggesting that those who trust in God’s foundation will not be put to shame.

This is where the chapter becomes explicitly Christ-centered. Isaiah’s immediate prophecy speaks of God’s sure foundation, which the New Testament identifies as fulfilled in Christ. Romans 9:33 says, “Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offense; and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Here, Paul applies Isaiah’s prophecy to Christ.

Peter does the same in 1 Peter 2:6, saying, “Behold, I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious; and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.” So, who is that cornerstone? It is Jesus Christ. This is the Gospel in Isaiah. The foundation God provides is not based on human philosophy, political power, religious tradition, good works, baptism, church membership, or morality. It is centered solely on Jesus Christ.

A. Christ is the Sure Foundation

Jesus said in Matthew 7:24: “Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house upon a rock.”

The storm came. The rain fell. The floods rose. The winds blew. But the house stood. Why? Because it was founded upon the rock. Our foundation determines our ability to withstand the storm.

Salvation is not based on human achievements. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.”

You cannot secure your eternal salvation based on your own goodness, church attendance, baptism, contributions, morality, or family heritage. The only solid foundation is Jesus Christ.

B. The foundation has already been provided.

Notice that God says, "I lay in Zion..." Salvation begins with God. He provides the foundation, the Savior, redemption, grace, and the Gospel. Our responsibility is to respond in faith.

John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  The foundation is Christ, and our response is faith.

V. GOD'S STANDARD WILL TEST EVERY FOUNDATION

Isaiah 28:17-22 Verse 17 says: “Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet…”This is construction language. Imagine a builder. A builder does not simply say, “Well, that wall looks straight enough. He uses a measuring line. He uses a level. He uses a plumb line. Why? Because appearances can deceive. Something can look right and still be wrong.

That is exactly what God is saying. You may think your life is straight. God measures it. You may think your beliefs are correct. God measures them. You may think your morality is acceptable. God measures it. You may think your church is healthy. God measures it. You may think your foundation is secure. God tests it. God's standard is not our opinion. God's standard is His Word.

A. God's Word is the measuring standard.

Isaiah 8:20 says: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

 

That is why the church must remain biblical. The question is not: What does our culture say? The question is: What does the Bible say? The question is not

 "What is popular?" The question is: What is true? The question is not: What makes everyone comfortable?  The question is: What honors God?

B. False security will eventually collapse.

Verse 18 says: “And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand…Their false security was going to fail. The alliance would not save them. Their strategy would not save them. Their political calculations would not save them. The thing they trusted would collapse. This is a timeless principle. Whatever we trust instead of God will eventually fail us.

Money can fail. People can fail. Institutions can fail. Governments can fail. Our bodies fail. Our plans fail. Our emotions fail.

But God does not fail. Hebrews 13:8 says: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.

God's strange work. Verse 21 says: “For the LORD shall rise as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.”

This language refers to times when God acted decisively in Israel's history.

At Perazim, God gave David victory over his enemies. At Gibeon, God again demonstrated His supernatural power. But Isaiah says God's coming judgment would be His “strange work.”

Why? Because judgment is not God's delight. Ezekiel 33:11 says: “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live…”God is holy. Therefore He must judge sin. But God is also merciful. Therefore He calls sinners to repentance. The cross demonstrates both. At Calvary, we see the holiness and love of God meet. Sin was not ignored. Sin was judged.

 But for those who trust Christ, the judgment fell upon Christ rather than upon them. That is the glory of the Gospel.

VI. GOD'S WARNINGS SHOULD PRODUCE REPENTANCE, NOT RESISTANCE

Isaiah 28:22 says: “Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong…”

Notice the word: “mockers. “The greatest danger is not ignorance. The greatest danger is rejecting truth after you have heard it. A person can be ignorant and teachable. But a person who knows the truth and mocks it has hardened his heart. That is dangerous.

Pharaoh saw God's power. He resisted. Israel saw God's miracles. They complained. The Pharisees saw Jesus perform miracles. They rejected Him. Judas walked with Jesus. He still betrayed Him. The problem was not lacking evidence. The problem was the heart's condition.

There are several possible responses to God's Word. We can ignore it. We can argue with it. We can explain it away. We can become angry with it. We can mock it. Or we can submit to it.

The proper response is: “Lord, speak. Your servant heareth.” Samuel said in 1 Samuel 3:10: “Speak; for thy servant heareth.” That ought to be the attitude of every Christian.

Lord, if Your Word corrects me, correct me. Lord, if Your Word convicts me, convict me. Lord, if Your Word changes my plans, change my plans. Lord, if Your Word exposes my sin, help me repent.

That is spiritual maturity. Now Isaiah changes his method. He has been using strong prophetic language. But beginning in verse 23, he gives us an agricultural illustration. And this illustration teaches us something very important about how God works.

VII. GOD KNOWS HOW TO CULTIVATE OUR LIVES WITH PERFECT WISDOM

Isaiah 28:23-29. Verse 23 says: “Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.” Notice the repetition. Hear.

Hearken. Isaiah has already emphasized hearing throughout the chapter. God wants His people to listen.

Then he asks: “Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? Doth he open and break the clods of his ground?”

Of course not. A farmer does not plow forever. There is a time to plow. There is a time to plant. There is a time to harvest. There is a time to thresh. There is a time to wait. The farmer understands seasons. And Isaiah says God does too.

A. God knows what season we are in.

Sometimes God is planting. Sometimes God is pruning. Sometimes God is breaking up hard ground. Sometimes God is allowing us to wait. Sometimes God is producing fruit. Sometimes God is harvesting. We may not understand the season. But God does.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

We often become frustrated because we want God to work according to our timetable. But God is not obligated to follow our schedule.

B. God's discipline is purposeful.

A farmer breaks up hard ground because he intends to produce something. The farmer is not destroying the field. He is preparing it. That is a powerful picture of God's work in our lives. Sometimes God allows difficult circumstances to break up the hardness of our hearts.

Hebrews 12:6 says: “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth…”

God's discipline is not evidence that He has abandoned us. Sometimes it is evidence that He loves us too much to leave us unchanged.

A loving father disciplines his children. God does the same spiritually.

C. God knows exactly what each person needs.

Verse 27 says: “For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cartwheel turned about upon the cummin…”

The point is that different crops require different treatment. A wise farmer knows what each crop needs. And God knows exactly what we need. What God does in your life may not be the same thing He does in my life. Your test may be different from mine. Your season of waiting may be different from mine. Your responsibility may be different. Your calling may be different. But God knows what He is doing.

D. God's methods are wise.

Verse 29 concludes: “This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. “What a statement! God is: “wonderful in counsel. And: “excellent in working. “God never makes a mistake. He never acts randomly. He never wastes suffering. He never wastes a trial. He never wastes an opportunity.

Romans 8:28 says: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Notice it does not say all things are good. It says God works all things together for good. There is a difference. The cross was not pleasant. But God used it for redemption. Joseph's pit was not pleasant. But God used it to preserve lives. Paul's imprisonment was not pleasant. But God used it to advance the Gospel. Our trials may not be pleasant. But God can use them for His purpose.

Three observations we should take away from Isaiah 28.

First: Do not build on what is fading. Ephraim's glory was a fading flower. Everything earthly is temporary. Build on Christ. Second: Do not make lies your refuge. Human wisdom cannot save you. Political power cannot save you. Money cannot save you. Religion cannot save you. Only Christ can save you. Third: Do not resist God's Word. Isaiah said,

“Yet they would not hear. “May that never be said of us. When God speaks, let us listen. When God corrects, let us repent. When God commands, let us obey. When God leads, let us follow. When God allows the storm, let us trust Him.

And when everything else is shaken, let us remember that our foundation is not shaking because our foundation is Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:28 says: “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

And Hebrews 13:8 reminds us: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Everything else may change. Everything else may fade. Everything else may fail. But Jesus Christ remains. He is the sure foundation. So the question Isaiah 28 leaves us with is simple: When God speaks, will we listen?