Isaiah 28

Isaiah 28:1

TO the Crowne] namely, to the Kingdome of the ten Tribes, the chiefe Tribe whereof was Ephraim, for his number and power more glorious then Judah; and much given to all manner of dissolutenesse, Hos. 5. 5. & 7. 5, 10. & 13. 1 Amo 6:6. On the head] for the Country of the ten Tribes was more high and hilly then Judahs Country, which was lower towards the Wildernesse. Others in the best, and the flower of the Countrey.

Isaiah 28:2

Hath] that is to say, he hath the King of Assyria ready at his command, for to execute his judgements upon the ten Tribes.

Isaiah 28:5

In that day] after the ten Tribes have been destroyed. He shall cause Judah to be glorified by his grace and miraculous protection, against his enemies, and by an excellent re-establishment of the state and Church under Hezekiah, Isaiah 32:1.

Isaiah 28:6

And for a Spirit] that is to say, I will inspire righteousnesse and justice, in the King and Princes of Judah, and valour in his men of warre for to beat backe their enemies. A description of a happy state, governed justly at home, and able abroad to resist any endeavour of their enemies.

Isaiah 28:7

They also] namely, they of Judah also, have imitated, and shall imitate the foresaid sins of Ephraim, notwithstanding the good order which Hezekiah re-established Have erred through Wine] the Italian, have fallen in love with Wine; the Hebrew word signifieth, a violent passion which troubles the understanding, and causeth it to goe astray out of the right way of reason, see Proverbs 20:1. Hosea 4:11. In vision] in faithfully relating what they have received from God, in propheticke revelation. This hath a relation to Prophets In judgement] this is spoken of the Priests, who were interpreters of the Law, and decided causes in judgement, see Deuteronomy 17:9. 2 Chronicles 19:8. Mal. 2 7.

Isaiah 28:9

Whom shall] these desolations doe dim and dull their understandings, that they are not able to receive instruction nor correction by the word of God, Isaiah 29:10.

Isaiah 28:10

For precept must be] they are become so upid that one must propose Gods Word unto them, as in the first rudiments to children, in a rough manner, whereas they should have been solid and perfect in it Heb. 5. 12. & 6. 1.

Isaiah 28:11

For with] this people understand not the word of their God, though plaine and intelligible, no more then if he did speake in an obscure and confused way, and in an unknowne Language.

Isaiah 28:12

This is] in the observation of my Law consists your peace and security Cause the weary] doe so that your poore Country which hath been so much afflicted, may now be a little eased of the scourges which she is threatned with.

Isaiah 28:13

The word] I will punish their wilfull rebellion with a greater blindnesse and astonishment, so that being no way guided by my word nor spirit, they may fall into finall ruine.

Isaiah 28:15

We have] we are, or at least hold our selves to be safe from any dangers Scourge] whereof is spoken, vers. 2 We have made] that is to say, we have provided for our safeties with fraudes and deceipts.

Isaiah 28:16

Therefore] because that your sinnes being grown to their height, my justice requireth to have you punisht; therefore I will first provide for the comfort of mine elect, to confirme their soules by faith in the promised Redeemer, which is the onely foundation and prop of the staggering Church, and afterwards I will come to the rigorous execution of my judgement.Isay] the Italian, That have laid; I have not onely appointed that my sonne should be the foundation of the Church, but have also planted faith in him in the hearts of mine elect, that leaning upon him they may stand to any manner of proofe or triall Shall not make haste] the Italian, shall not goe astray; Heb. shall not make haste, because that folks which are out of their way, do run up and downe at randome to finde it againe without any judgement.

Isaiah 28:17

Judgement also] but as for you wicked ones, I will deale with you in my justice, And will make your punishments equall with your faults The haile] whereof, see vers. 2 The refuge] whereof see vers. 15.

Isaiah 28:19

By morning] beginning still againe without any rest Shall be] the cry of the enemies comming shall yeeld no remedy for it, it shall serve but onely to put you in greater terror and confusion.

Isaiah 28:20

The bed] figurative and proverbial terms, the meaning is, that all meanes and devices they can use, will no way defend them.

Isaiah 28:21

His strange] namely, wonderfull and terrible, or which seemes not to agree with the mildenesse of a father toward his children, but rather with the fury of an enemy against a stranger, see Lamentations 3:33.

Isaiah 28:22

Lest your bands] lest Gods judgements, which already keepe you bound like prisoners, doe grow stronger upon you.

Isaiah 28:24

The plowman] even as the plowman doth not alwaies plow; but after he hath prepared and made ready the Land, he soweth it: so God, after he hath a long time spoken and threatned comes to execution, with a distinction of persons, and punishments befitting his Justice and providence.

Isaiah 28:25

Principall Wheat] the Italian, Wheat by a certaine measure; according to the bignesse of the field which he meanes to sow The appointed Barley] the Italian, Barley at certaine marks; he meanes certaine markes which husbandmen did use to set up in the fields, for to sort out their seeds according to the diversity of the soiles, and for to avoyd confusion, and keep an equality in their sowing.

Isaiah 28:27

Are not threshed] as after harvest all kind of seed is not threshed out after the same manner; but Corne is threshed out with Cartwheeles, or beasts hoofes, according to the custome of those Countries; other smaller seeds are threshed out with ails or rods: So Gods visitations are dispensed according to the diuers qualities of the persons.

Isaiah 28:29

This also] this diversity in the dispersing of Gods judgements, proceeds from Gods wise providence, who, as he is the authour of reason in men, and in the guiding of their actions, so doth he also observe supreame wisdome in his owne.