Today’s Passage – Isaiah 28 – 30
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. (Isaiah 28:7)
Isaiah 28 is directed initially toward Ephraim which was one of the two half tribes of Joseph, part of the northern kingdom of Israel. Ephraim is often used symbolically to refer to all of the northern kingdom of Israel in the Book of Isaiah. Remember, Isaiah is writing this book right around the time that the northern kingdom was being swallowed up into captivity by the Assyrians. There were many reasons for the downfall of Israel; but here in this chapter we see that they were a prosperous nation (vv 1, 4 – fat valley, referring to the fruitfulness of the land) that was consumed with pleasure. The irony of this whole thing is that God gave them this fruitful land and all of the prosperity that came with it. He also protected them for many years from the enemies around them, which also added to their prosperity. But prosperity will often cause a people to fall sooner than persecution will. In fact, persecution will often cause a nation to draw closer to God. The cycle goes like this: First God blesses His people; then the people in their abundance forget about their God; then God judges His people, removing some of the protection and prosperity; then the people turn back to God; and finally, God can begin to bless His people again.
The multiple references to drunkenness in this passage is not so much a condemnation for a person who is trapped by alcoholism as it is an observation of a nation that is consumed with pleasure. Pleasure seekers often turn to wine, strong drink; and, today, drugs in order to satisfy their lust for pleasure. A people in this condition will quickly fall away from God. This is sadly not just the testimony of the lost people; but is also the way that many Christians are going. It is now acceptable in many Christian circles to allow a little social drinking. The preachers may still preach against drunkenness, but they used to admonish their people to completely abstain from alcohol. We are gradually moving away from the sound principles of the Word of God.
Paul wrote abut this day that we are living in in 2 Timothy:
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (1 Timothy 3:1 – 5)
We can’t do much about the condition of the world; and we most likely will not be able to stop the judgment that surely must be imminent in America; but we can make sure that we are not a part of the problem. We are Christians! We need to represent Christ to this dark world that we live in; and we aren’t supposed to live like they do. Abstain from the appearance of evil; be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be ye filled with the Spirit. These are God’s instructions to His ambassadors today. As this world around us begins to crumble as it did for Israel, we need to be strong and Spirit-filled so that we will be able to help the fallen find their way back to God.
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For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him. 2 Samuel 14:14
Men love to gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and do their duty. When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another.
When men do not fear God, they will not regard man. Men are unholy and without the fear of God, because they are unthankful for the mercies of God. We abuse God's gifts, if we make them the food and fuel of our lusts. And when men have no rule over their own spirits, but despise that which is good and to be honoured.
God is to be loved above all; but a carnal mind, full of enmity against him, prefers anything before him, especially carnal pleasure. A form of godliness is very different from the power; from such as are found to be hypocrites, real Christians must withdraw.
Such persons have been found within the outward church, in every place, and at all times. There ever have been artful men, who, by pretences and flatteries, creep into the favour and confidence of those who are too easy of belief, ignorant, and fanciful.
All must be ever learning to know the Lord; but these follow every new notion, yet never seek the truth as it is in Jesus.
Satan can deceive the nations and the churches no further, and no longer, than God will permit.
Matthew Henry 11 October 1682