Isaiah 28:1-8 – Dominated by Sin or an Aberration?
God has given Israel some wonderful blessings. In verses 1 and 4 he mentions the glorious beauty of the rich valleys. But they took the good gifts of God and used them for sin. They’ve taken the wine, the good gift of God, and abused it. They’re characterized as drunkards in the very first verse. These false people of God took all these good gifts, and they have acted as though somehow it was their own power, and their own wisdom, that has made everything to work well. They are full of pride. We see that in verse 3. They’ve not taken these good gifts and been thankful for them. They’ve not taken these good gifts and used them for the glory of God. Drunkenness is pretty much the biggest thing that characterizes them. Obviously, this sin has conquered them. Any life-dominating sin will ruin someone who professes to be part of the people of God. Sadly, there are many people who might claim to be Christ’s in Isaiah’s time and in ours, but their lives are dominated by sin. It’s not that they sometimes fall to particular sins. It’s not that they are fighting against them. No, they delight in remaining in these sins while still claiming to be the people of Jehovah.
We go on to read in verses 5-8 about the remnant. Those who, amid this larger group of false believers, are true believers, these are the ones of whom we are talking now. In the last two verses we see they also have erred through wine and through intoxicating drink. What, truly Christian people behaving that way? It’s sad, but true. Thankfully, over the course of their Christian lives, it does not characterize them. This is a horrible aberration in their lives. But sadly, we see this in a lot of eminent believers in the Bible. Maybe not drunkenness, but other things just as bad or maybe even worse. Look at Noah after his wonderful deliverance. Look at Abraham with all the covenant promises, betraying his wife twice to save his own skin. Look at David with his adultery and murder. Look at Solomon with his many wives and idolatry. And there are many others we can catalogue. It is sad. Must we ever think that this is some excuse for us? Do not pursue after sin, for you have no idea, when you are going downhill, if this be an aberration in your life, or if now you’re maybe showing your true colours. And even if you are believer, the consequences are going to be really, really unpleasant.
Questions
- How were these people dominated by sin?
- Can God’s people fall into terrible sin?
Prayer Points
- Pray that God would help you put sin to death more and more in your life.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.