"They Have Gone Astray"

The day of reckoning for Samaria comes in 740 B.C.E. when the Assyrians devastate the land and the northern kingdom ceases to exist as an independent nation.  What about Judah? Her land will be invaded by Assyria, and later Babylon will destroy her capital city.  But during Isaiah's lifetime, Judah's temple and priesthood will remain in operation and her prophets continue to prophesy.  Should Judah gloat over the coming demise of her northern neighbor?  Certainly not! Jehovah will also settle accounts with Judah and her leaders for their disobedience  and lack of faith.

Directing his message to Judah, Isaiah continues:  "And these also-because of wine they have gone astray and because of intoxicating liquor they have wandered about. Priest and prophet-they have gone astray because of intoxicating liquor, they have become confused as a result of the wine, they have wandered about as  a result of the intoxicating liquor; they have gone astray in their seeing, they have reeled as to decision.  For the tables themselves have become full of filthy vomit-there is no place without it."  (Isaiah 28:7, 8)  How disgusting!  Literal drunkenness in God's house would be bad enough.  But these priests and prophets are spiritually intoxicated-their minds beclouded by overconfidence in their human alliances.  They have deceived themselves into thinking  that their course is the only practical one, perhaps believing that they now have a backup plan in case Jehovah's protection proves inadequate.  In their spiritually inebriated state, these religious leaders spew out revolting, unclean expressions that betray their grievous lack of genuine faith in God's promises.

How do Judah's leaders react to Jehovah's warning?  They mock Isaiah, accusing him of speaking to them as if they were infants:  "Whom will one instruct in knowledge, and whom  will one make understand what has been heard?  Those who have been weaned from the milk, those moved away from the breasts?  For it is 'command upon command, command upon command, measure line upon measuring line, measuring line upon measuring line, here a little, there a little.' " (Isaiah 28:9, 10) How repetitious and strange Isaiah sounds to them!  he keeps repeating himself, saying: 'This is what Jehovah has commanded! This is what Jehovah has commanded!  This is Jehovah's standard!  This is Jehovah's standard!  But Jehovah will soon "speak" to the inhabitants of Judah by means of action.  He will send against them the armies of Babylon-foreigners who really  do speak a different language.  Those armies will certainly carry out Jehovah's  "command upon command," and Judah will fall. -Read Isaiah 28:11-13.

Next time: Spiritual Drunkards Today

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