Context No. 3221 of 4322 · Isaiah

Isaiah 28:1-6: in context

1Woe to the crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim, and to the fading flower of his glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fertile valley of those who are overcome with wine! 2Behold, the Lord has one who is mighty and strong. Like a storm of hail, a destroying storm, and like a storm of mighty waters overflowing, he will cast them down to the earth with his hand. 3The crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trodden under foot. 4The fading flower of his glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fertile valley, shall be like the first-ripe fig before the summer, which someone picks and eats as soon as he sees it. 5In that day, the LORD of Armies will become a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the residue of his people, 6and a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.

Woe to the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim, Isaiah cries, to the fading flower of their glorious beauty. The Lord has one who will cast them down like a hailstorm, and the crown of pride will be trampled underfoot. But in that day, the LORD of hosts will himself become a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of his people.

The contrast is between two crowns. Ephraim wears a crown of pride, a garland of drunken revelry and fading glory, doomed to be trampled. But in that day the LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of his people. The proud crown themselves with their own achievements and pleasures, which wither like a flower in the field; the humble remnant find God himself to be their crown, a glory that does not fade. What we glory in reveals us: the self-made crown of pride is trampled, but the LORD himself is an unfading crown for those who are his.

What is my "crown," my own achievements and pleasures that will fade, or the LORD himself, an unfading glory to those who are his?

Sources

Isaiah 28:5: "In that day, the LORD of Armies will become a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the residue of his people."
Isaiah 28:1: "Woe to the crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim, and to the fading flower of his glorious beauty."
1 Peter 5:4: "You will receive the crown of glory that doesn't fade away."