Stephen Charnock writes about the wisdom of God in this quote:
“Wisdom consists in observing all circumstances for action. He is counted a wise man that lays hold of the fittest opportunities to bring his designs about, that hath the fullest foresight of all the little intrigues which may happen in a business he is to manage, and times every part of his action in an exact harmony with the proper minutes of it. God hath all the circumstances of things in one entire image before him ; he hath a prospect of every little creek in any design. He sees what second causes will act, and when they will act this or that ; yea, he determines them to such and such acts ; so that it is impossible he should be mistaken, or miss of the due season of bringing about his own purposes. As he hath more goodness than to deceive any, so he hath more understanding than to be mistaken in any- thing. Hence the time of the incarnation of our blessed Saviour is called the ' fulness of time,' the proper season for his coming. Every circumstance about Christ was timed according to the predictions of God ; even so little a thing as not parting his garment, and the giving him gall and vinegar to drink. And all the blessings he showers down upon his people, according to the covenant of grace, are said to come ‘in his due season,’” (Stephen Charnock)
Who is the God you worship? Is He this wise?
(A) Wisdom’s purpose: Self-sufficiency is undermined (Isa 28:1-6)
Isaiah’s prophecy snaps from the “The Little Apocalypse” in Isaiah 24-27 of the future back to the present in six statements of alarm from Isaiah 28-33, marked by the word, “Ah”. Ephraim is the northern kingdom of Israel and here, Isaiah is talking about the city of Israel (Isa 28:1). Specifically, it is referring to the city of Samaria, which displays a certain licentious culture of drunkenness. It is described as “a fading flower of its glorious beauty” (Isa 28:1b). Flowers are either blooming or fading. Fading flowers are therefore dying and past its prime, on the decline. Thus, Ephraim, with its moral depravity, is indeed past its prime. Here, wine is associated with the moral character of the people of God. It’s not about whether to drink or not to drink. Rather, God’s people here has lost control to drink. What does this say about the person’s outlook on life?
In Isaiah 28:2, the people are called to behold the one from the Lord who is “mighty and strong” and comes “like a storm of hail, a destroying tempest, like a storm of might, overflowing waters”. This is all from the Lord! Isaiah has no conception of nature independent of God’s actions. For Isaiah, nature is part of what God is working out in human history.
We see from these verses that God has one who is going to work out His purposes. In Isaiah 28:4, this one will plunder and takes from the nation of Israel. Historically, this is Assyria. Thus, God is saying that He will send Assyria to bring judgment on His people. Why? Because they are a bunch of drunkards.
What will be the outcome of that day when the LORD acts? To those that are left, the remnant, they will see that God is utterly worthy of trust. “The LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty” (Isaiah 28:5). They will also understand God to have acted justly and rightly.
What’s so wrong with alcohol and being drunk? What’s so wrong with pursuing pleasure? It’s not that God’s people are not to love pleasure and to pursue only misery and discipline. Rather, it is pleasure that is outside of God and usurps the pleasure and delight that we ought to have in Him. For Ephraim, we see that they were atheistic and living as if there was no God. They lived as if their God was dead. They were overcome with drink and their lifestyle implies that they get to decide everything. They live for the present and maximise whatever pleasure there is for the moment because there is no God.
Pleasure or alcohol is not the issue. Godlessness is. A life lived without reference to God is self-sufficiency. Do we live in a way that shows that there is no God and seek to make meaning in our own ways? How many of us live in constant reference to God and pursue His unfolding will for our tomorrows? Or, do you entrust your struggles of this moment because you believe that He is working out His unfolding purpose for your life right now? Do you slide back to a form of atheism because God is dead? Is it up to you to make meaning of life?
And the shocking thing is that God will even use Assyria to do so for Israel. Do you think God is capable of such an intervention? Do you believe that God is wise enough to stage an intervention in your life, because you are drawn to lesser things? See how God stages this intervention, such that a remnant sees His glory.
(B) Wisdom proved: Scoffing shepherds judged (Isa 28:7-20)
Isaiah zooms in to confront the priest and the prophet (Isa 28:7a). They reel with strong drink, are swallowed by wine and stagger with strong drink (Isa 28:7b). The leaders of Israel are not different from the people. The prophets who are there to provide vision and speak forth God’s word — those holy lips are too busy gorging themselves on worldly and earthly pleasures. The priests who are to purify themselves to lift pure offerings and intercede — these are too occupied with worldly pleasure. They vomit all over, with no space left (Isa 28:8).
These are the people who are responsible for God’s people. When God’s people go astray, surely His leaders out to call them out. Yet, the leaders are no different. They do not even know God’s will. They are not even sober enough to bring forth proper judgment and cannot lead God’s people.
God also addresses Jerusalem, which is in the southern kingdom (Isa 28:14). Thus, God is referring to both the north and the south! To understand Isaiah 28:15, we need to look at Isaiah 30:1-3. They have made a covenant with Egypt, and this is akin to making a covenant with death and the grave. Thus, God’s people were confident because Egypt was their ally. The same thing in Israel’s drunkenness is also at play here with Judah’s politicking. They believe that there is no God and religion is not useful/practical. They need to take real steps to secure their nation.
God addresses this in Isaiah 28:16. God is the one who built, secure and blesses Judah. But instead of resting in this, they have gone to Egypt. God will act to destroy all their politicking and security (Isa 28:17). This covenant will be annulled and will not stand (Isa 28:18). Judah too, will be destroyed (Isa 28:19).
“These” people respond in Isaiah 28:9-10. They mock Isaiah and say that his words are for children. His words are not relevant for the real world. Isaiah 28:10 sounds like mockery, with its play on words.
These are scoffers, not men of God.
How are God’s people supposed to see Him as wise, when their leaders do not see Him in that way and are too gripped by worldly pleasures? How are God’s people supposed to see Him as wise if our churches are marked by worldliness and not by godliness? Do you think the church has changed from the time of the people of Israel? Do you think theology is regarded as only relevant for children? Or that God’s truth is open to our interpretation? What is our attitude towards God’s truths in our churches today?
Even when God’s people do not speak His words, He is committed to it. See Isaiah 28:11. God will use the actions and words of foreigners when His own people don’t. Isaiah 28:12 tells us that God has words of rest. God is not impotent just because his men and women do not represent him well, or when His leaders mess up. God will never allow and cause His word to fail. He will cause it to bear fruit, even when His own men and women are rebellious. These shepherds will be judged, and His words will be vindicated.
Isn’t it strange that God should use others, instead of just removing the failed leaders? Yet, God in His wisdom, chooses this way. HIs ways and thoughts are better than ours. God is still committed to His word and ways even in our day. Do not despair when you consider the false teachers in our day.
Now, if only His people hear.
(C) Wisdom’s promise: Strange ways of God are yet purposeful (Isa 28:21-29)
A number of events are invoked for memory in Isaiah 28:21-22. Mount Perazim and the Valley of Gibeon are locations where God fights for his people (c.f. 2 Sam 5:17-21, Jos 10:1-11). The prophet here also expresses struggle — “strange is his deed” (Isa 28:21b). He acknowledges that he doesn’t know why God allows this kind of tragedy to befall His people. But he also admits that even though they do not understand they ought not to scoff.
Yes, God is wise. Yes this is strange. Yes, we struggle to understand. Yes, it is true. Be careful not to scoff or harden hearts just because you don’t understand.
Isaiah 28:23 is a verse that seems to indicate that what happens is important. Isaiah 28:24-26 speaks of plowing first before sowing crops each in its appropriate time and place. One does not just plow and harrow, and also scatters dill, sow cumin, put in wheat and arrange barley after the land is prepared. The farmer plants with intentionality. Indeed, God knows when and where to plant the crops.
Next, herbs are threshed with appropriate tools (Isa 28:27). God knows how to treat the crops and produce. Grain is also threshed to the appropriate degree (Isa 28:28). It is not too fine for bread and God is careful and does not over crush it. God knows how far, how much and how long to act.
We can trust God’s wisdom, even if we don’t know the whole shape or logic. He knows how long, how long and how far He should go. He knows how not to exceed the limits of His people.
What are we asking when we struggle? Perhaps, we want to know if God knows when and where, or how long, or whether He knows whether to show restraint. It’s not about why we are in the circumstances, but we want to know whether God knows our circumstances and whether it is purposeful! Though He may never give us the reason, He knows and He is good to share with us when and where, how and how far. After all, He showed us with the most unjust suffering through Jesus, the man on the cross.
Read 1 Peter 3:18. In our suffering, we think that we are righteous suffering unrighteously. Yet, this verse in 1 Peter challenges this view! If God in His wisdom, can work out the mystery of the cross, there is nothing else He can’t work out! We often think about suffering when we consider the wisdom of God. Hear these words in 1 Pet 3:18. Will you trust God tonight as you look at the cross, and see Christ who is the wisdom of God? In what ways is God undermining your self-sufficiency and why does He oppose it so? Indeed, God’s wisdom sometimes seems strange. How does the wise word of the Cross show us that God’s strange ways are purposeful and trustworthy? What does this mean for you today?