Warning to Judah
September 16, 2020
Commentary
The name “Jerusalem” means “city of peace.” History reveals that it has been associated more with conflict than with peace. In (Psa. 122:6) it says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." We might ask our self the question, “Why pray for Jerusalem and not London, Moscow, or New York City?” The reason is that when there is true peace in Jerusalem, there will be peace in the whole world (Isa. 52:7; Isa. 66:12). Judah like their northern neighbors were guilty of scoffing at Isaiah’s words (v. 14).
In this passage the prophet turns his attention to the people of Jerusalem who have made a covenant with death and with hell (v. 15). The enemy is going to come in like a storm and a whip (scourge) and there will be no way of escape. They failed to trust the Lord (v. 16) and were plainly guilty of sin (v. 17). Their only hope is in Jesus Christ, the tried and true foundation stone. With Sennacherib leading the Assyrian army they trampled Judah, destroying forty-six towns and villages (vv. 18-19) and all their resources were lost (v. 20).
Isaiah is telling them that their confidence that God will not judge them is a delusion (vv 21-29). The prophet closes this chapter with a parable of the farmer. He points out that the plowman does not plow just for the sake of plowing, but he plows that he might sow and reap a crop (vv 24-28). Like the farmer, the Lord is not just going through the motions but He intends to harvest a crop (v. 29).
Application
I should never live on the false hope that I am exempt from His judgment for what I do in this body because I have trusted in Jesus. I will one day stand before the “Judgment Seat of Christ” to give an answer for what I have done in this body (II Cor 5:10).
Isaiah 28:14– 29 (NET)
14 Therefore, listen to the Lord’s message, you who mock, you rulers of these people who reside in Jerusalem.
15 For you say, “We have made a treaty with death, with Sheol we have made an agreement. When the overwhelming judgment sweeps by it will not reach us. For we have made a lie our refuge, we have hidden ourselves in a deceitful word.”
16 Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord, says: “Look, I am laying a stone in Zion, an approved stone, set in place as a precious cornerstone for the foundation. The one who maintains his faith will not panic.
17 I will make justice the measuring line, fairness the plumb line; hail will sweep away the unreliable refuge, the floodwaters will overwhelm the hiding place.
18 Your treaty with death will be dissolved; your agreement with Sheol will not last. When the overwhelming judgment sweeps by, you will be overrun by it.
19 Whenever it sweeps by, it will overtake you; indeed, every morning it will sweep by, it will come through during the day and the night.” When this announcement is understood, it will cause nothing but terror.
20 For the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket is too narrow to wrap around oneself.
21 For the Lord will rise up, as he did at Mount Perazim; he will rouse himself, as he did in the Valley of Gibeon, to accomplish his work, his peculiar work, to perform his task, his strange task.
22 So now, do not mock, or your chains will become heavier! For I have heard a message about decreed destruction, from the Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies against the entire land.
23 Pay attention and listen to my message. Be attentive and listen to what I have to say!
24 Does a farmer just keep on plowing at planting time? Does he keep breaking up and harrowing his ground?
25 Once he has leveled its surface, does he not scatter the seed of the caraway plant, sow the seed of the cumin plant, and plant the wheat, barley, and grain in their designated places?
26 His God instructs him; he teaches him the principles of agriculture.
27 Certainly caraway seed is not threshed with a sledge, nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin seed. Certainly caraway seed is beaten with a stick, and cumin seed with a flail.
28 Grain is crushed, though one certainly does not thresh it forever. The wheel of one’s wagon rolls over it, but his horses do not crush it.
29 This also comes from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who gives supernatural guidance and imparts great wisdom.