Initially in chapter 28 judgement is predicted for the proud wreath of "drunkards of Ephraim" (northern kingdom) with the impending destruction at the hands of the Assyrians. "That wreath, the pride of Ephraim's drunkards, will be trampled underfoot." So too, Isaiah continues, the southern kingdom of Judah's priests and prophets, who "stagger from wine and reel from beer", will also be judged by God. For "with foreign lips and strange (Assyrian) tongues God will speak to this people." So they would "fall backward, be injured and snared and captured." For the rulers in Jerusalem have made "a covenant with death" (political godless alliances) so "an overwhelming scourge will sweep them", and when this scourge sweeps by "you will be beaten down by it." God promises, however, to "lay a stone in Zion, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; and who trusts will never be dismayed," and these will survive the impending judgement. Then concluding Isaiah compares God with a wise farmer who knows when to plant and reap. "All this comes from the Lord Almighty, wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom."
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