"The Drunkards of Ephraim"

Isaiah begins his prophecy with startling words:  "Woe to the eminent crown of the drunkards of Ephraim, and the fading blossom of its decoration of beauty that is upon the head of the fertile valley of those overpowered by wine!  Look!  Jehovah has someone strong and vigorous.  Like a thunderous storm of hail, . . .he will certainly do a casting down to the earth with force.  With the feet the eminent crowns of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trampled down." -Isaiah 28:1-3.

Ephraim, the most prominent of the ten northern tribes, has come to stand for the entire kingdom of Israel.  Its capital, Samaria, enjoys a beautiful and commanding location at "the head of the fertile valley."  Ephraim's leaders are proud of their "eminent crown," of independence from the Davidic kingship in Jerusalem.  But they are "drunkards," spiritually inebriated because of their alliance with Syria against Judah. Everything they cherish is about to be trampled under the feet of invaders. -Compare Isaiah 29:9.

Ephraim does not realize its precarious position.  Isaiah continues:  "The fading flower of its decoration of beauty that is upon the head of the fertile valley must become like the early fig before summer, that, when the seer sees it, while it is yet in his palm, he swallows it down."  (Isaiah 28:4)  Ephraim will fall into the hand of Assyria, a sweet morsel to be consumed in a single bite.  Is there no hope, then?  Well, as is so often the case, Isaiah's judgment prophecies are tempered with hope.  Even though the nation falls, faithful individuals will survive, with Jehovah's help.  "Jehovah of armies will become as a crown of decoration and as a garland of beauty to the ones remaining over of his people, and as a spirit of justice to the one sitting in the judgment, and as mightiness to those turning away the battle from the gate." -Isaiah 28:5, 6.

Next time: "They Have Gone Astray"

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000