This chapter has a surprising end!

A summary (from God’s Point of View, the “only one” that really counts) of Israel’s spiritual condition at the time of Isaiah’s ministry. Or at least during the “low times” of Isaiah’s ministry.

“10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. 12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.” Isaiah 56:10-12, the last paragraph.

“Watchmen” represent the leaders of Judah (specifically) … who were charged with the overall welfare of their little nation. These would comprise both civic and religious leaders of the land!

They are “ignorant!” (So very unlike the men described in 1 Chronicles 12:32 … “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.”)

Wow!

They are “dumb dogs.”

They have become “lazy,” as in “laying down, loving to slumber.”

They are selfish, “greedy” in fact! Everyone out for “himself.”

Jesus would have called them “hirelings!” And Paul would have said “covetous.”

And too, they are “drunkards!” As in “We will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink.”

And they are blindly (unrealistically) “optimistic!” As if “things will only get better and better!” The King James has it: “Tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.” Riches will proliferate!

But instead of this rosy forecast coming to pass … we all know what happened … Babylonian Captivity!

The destruction of Jerusalem and her Temple!

God’s judgment fell!

And folks, I am telling you … America is rapidly (if not already) in the same horrid condition!

Thereby we must conclude … judgment is in her future as well. God is STILL on the Throne!

Again … “His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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