Years ago, many years ago to be frank, there was an episode of the TV show “I Love Lucy” that depicted her taking a job as a representative of “Vitameatavegemin,” a health supplement that had vitamins, meat, vegetables, and minerals. The skit involved her shilling the benefits of the product, and, to prove the point, she took a big spoonful. As the tryout/practice continued, Lucy consumed a significant portion of the elixir. And, as soon became evident, the potion was very potent.
Well, you can guess the results. At first she grimaced and frowned at the taste. Then as the session continued, she began to exhibit the characteristics of inebriation. That skit came to mind while reading Isaiah 28. Check it out.
Woe to the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim, And to the fading flower of its glorious beauty, Which is at the head of the fertile valley Of those who are overcome with wine! 2 Behold, the Lord has a strong and mighty agent; As a storm of hail, a tempest of destruction, Like a storm of mighty overflowing waters, He has cast it down to the earth with His hand. 3 The proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim is trodden under foot. 4 And the fading flower of its glorious beauty, Which is at the head of the fertile valley, Will be like the first-ripe fig prior to summer, Which one sees, And as soon as it is in his hand, He swallows it. 5 In that day the Lord of hosts will become a beautiful crown And a glorious diadem to the remnant of His people; 6 A spirit of justice for him who sits in judgment, A strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate. 7 And these also reel with wine and stagger from strong drink: The priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, They are confused by wine, they stagger from strong drink; They reel while having visions, They totter when rendering judgment. 8 For all the tables are full of filthy vomit, without a single clean place.
Isaiah begins with a little sarcasm. Other skits with Lucy show her becoming progressively more disheveled and incoherent as she continued to consume an alcohol infused product. Isaiah draws attention to the “proud crown” of the drunkards of Ephraim. Some skits showed Lucy with hat askew, stumbling around, mumbling somewhat incoherently. Sounds familiar. Isaiah repeated the description in v. 3 which he called a proud crown. He attributes this spectacle to being overcome with wine. In comparison, the Lord will bring an agent that will overwhelm the nation in another manner. “Ephraim” is another name for the northern kingdom of Israel. Later in the chapter, the nation of Judah is addressed, confirming that Isaiah has both parts of the country in mind.
He also repeats another descriptive phrase: “Woe...to the fading flower of its glorious beauty.” V. 1, 3 The debauchery is taking a toll on the nation and it will be swallowed like the first fig of summer. (V. 4) That exact event occurred in stages between 734 and 724 BC for Israel. Verse 5 inserts a glimpse into the future when the Lord will restore them.
But in the meantime v. 6-8 depict the scene of the beleaguered defenders attempting to repel the invasion. It includes the leaders, the defenders at the gate, the prophet and the priest. Verse 7 describes their behavior and it sounds exactly like our friend Lucy over 2500 years later. They reel with wine and stagger with strong drink. Picture a drunken cadre of soldiers attempting to repel invaders. You get the picture.
Verse 7 describes their demeanor and competence.
They are confused by wine, they stagger from strong drink; They reel while having visions, They totter when rendering judgment.
Imagine a drunken Lucy defending the city, delivering a message of warning, sitting at the judge’s bench rendering decisions. Not an inviting prospect. But it gets worse. Verse 8 describes the environment in their office and even cafeteria.
For all the tables are full of filthy vomit, without a single clean place.
Imagine the stench if the whole place is covered. UGH!
This is more than a screed against the consumption of alcohol. It mirrors the actions and abilities of those who have rejected the Lord. The chapter continues to include the southern kingdom in the indictment, although in not so picturesque language. Ultimately both kingdoms were deported and placed into captivity that lasted for 70 years.
The point of this consideration is that we would be wise to avoid the types of behavior that would lead to a judicial indictment. Negative, profligate, and debauched behavior is often described as acting like a drunken sailor. “Spending like a drunken sailor,” comes to mind. Driving, walking, fighting, generally acting like a drunken sailor is not a commendable or enviable description.
Just for the record, I have enough episodes of staggering, reeling, being confused and tottering without adding an additional instigating or aggravating factor. I have enough trouble navigating life while sober. There is no telling how much damage would result from any other condition.
This is kind of a negative lesson. At least it is a sober (pun intended) reflection on the results of defying and disobeying the Lord. I want to walk a straight line. (Again, pun or allusion intended.) And thank you Johnny Cash.
Have a great, and dry day. And forego Vitameatavegemin.
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