Text: Isaiah 28:1-9
Topic: out of the way through strong drink
( a message delivered to a platform made up of ministers of the gospel , please do not continue if you are not one by grace. Thank you for your sincerity)
This study will be done with the following sub-headings:
Background
Their sins
God’s judgement and Salvation
Conclusion
Background
Isaiah, a servant of God who exhibited the gift of prophecy, according to scholars he proclaimed God’s message from 742 to 687 BC, the main theme of his message was to underscore God’s power and control over the nation of Israel, their foes and friends alike and by extension all nations of the world. He therefore spoke extensively on holiness as a prerequisite to enjoy walking with and enjoying the display of His power and splendour. He was a messenger who spoke the truth unadulterated to the Israelites that their main undoing was the SIN and not the king of Assyria or other power blocks that had ravaged or wanting to wrestle, exploit or plunder them. What is the source/content of our message(s) today? Isaiah spoke for the Lord.
Their sins
Two major issues although with other possible overtures/offspring were mentioned in the passage of study, talking originally to the Ephraim tribe and these are:
Pride vs.1,3
Drunkenness vs.1,3,7
It needs to be noted that God blessed His people with abundance but they made the blessings/abundance a fuel for their lust, they brutally engaged in pride and drunkenness. What do we do today with God-given positions, access, privilege and blessings, are we any better than the Ephraimites?
It is a serious source of concern that Judah was also engrossed in the same dance of shame like other Israelites, in the same vein it is a sad news when prophets/ministers are drunk in sins, kindly note that ministerial sins are somewhat hard to detect/believe and correct, this is because of perceived of feigned holiness by status.
God’s judgement and Salvation
Although the message came before-hand for them to make needed adjustments but they didn’t and God had to judge them:
Their beauty/glory actually failed and faded vs.1
They were led into captivity.
May we not go into exile/captivity before we repent of all known sins in Jesus mighty name, but we must do more than just say Amen.
God will not be angry with His people forever, He is a loving God/father John 3:16 however the residue will He make to radiate glory one more time and He will also provide strength and stability to the remnant and every repented sinner. vs.5-6
Conclusion
Going through the self-caused damage of Judah vs.7 two things are succinct amongst other VISION AND JUDGEMENT derailed by strong drink.
These two could be a yardstick to measure our ministerial productivity from God’s perspective. VISION: God’s will revealed Prov.29:18,2 Peter1:19-21 do we still see fresh things from God’s word? Does God still reveal things to us by His spirit in tandem with His words?
JUDGEMENT: administration of God’s law and God’s people, can our choices and decisions be followed without reservations, are our choices/ decisions not lacking in understanding/wisdom, not entrenched in greed/self or entirely the old man? Deut.17:9-11.
Just as strong drink blurs vision and judgement so sin blurs vision and judgement, let us amend our ways, our Judah should know and do better, may we receive grace in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Shalom.
