Ephraim Isaiah 28

Isaiah 28:3 "The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet; ..."

While Ephraim is mentioned starting off, strong drink is the theme. It has drawn away even the priests from their duty and clouded their judgment.

v7 "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. See also Hosea 4:13

A vivid picture is painted of the drunken state of the people.

v8 "For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean."

A sharp reprimand is made to those who are suppose to be teaching the people but are in no state to teach anyone.

v14 "Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem."

They think they have made a covenant or agreement with death and hell but their arrogance is revealed here:

v15 "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;"

I had a friend once who told me (I had been witnessing to him) that he and God had a agreement and he felt it was alright to go ahead as he was going.

v16 "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."

v18 "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."

The only agreement we have with God is to agree that our will is not important and that His will is all important. Jesus desired that the cup pass from him but he said 'nevertheless not my will but thy will be done'. We must learn to give up our own will to fulfill the will of God. It is a tough lesson to learn.

v29 "This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working." See also Psalm 40:5, Romans 11:33