This verse from Isaiah 56:12 describes the self-indulgent and complacent attitude of corrupt leaders or watchmen. Let's break it down:
"Come," say they, "I will get wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink;" This is a call to excessive drinking and revelry. It highlights their focus on immediate gratification and pleasure. It suggests they prioritize their own enjoyment over their responsibilities to the people they are supposed to be leading or protecting.
"and tomorrow will be as today, great beyond measure." This part reveals their delusion and lack of foresight. They believe that their current lifestyle of pleasure and excess will continue indefinitely. They are oblivious to any potential consequences or dangers that might arise. They are blind to any need for change or repentance. It's a statement of profound complacency and a denial of reality.
In essence, the verse paints a picture of:
Selfishness: They care only about their own immediate pleasure.
Irresponsibility: They neglect their duties and obligations.
Complacency: They are blind to potential problems and consequences.
Lack of Foresight: They assume their good fortune will continue without end.
Spiritual Blindness: They are not aware of God's judgment or the need for repentance.
Context within Isaiah 56:
Isaiah 56 as a whole deals with themes of justice, righteousness, and the inclusion of all people in God's covenant. This verse serves as a sharp contrast to these themes. It is a condemnation of those who are supposed to be guiding and protecting the people, but who are instead indulging in selfish pleasures and neglecting their duties. They are the opposite of the kind of leaders God desires.
It's also worth noting that excessive drinking was often associated with moral decay and spiritual negligence in the Old Testament. These leaders are not just enjoying themselves; they are actively harming themselves and their community through their excessive consumption and lack of responsibility.
This verse from Isaiah 56:12 describes the self-indulgent and complacent attitude of corrupt leaders or watchmen. Let's break it down:
"Come," say they, "I will get wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink;" This is a call to excessive drinking and revelry. It highlights their focus on immediate gratification and pleasure. It suggests they prioritize their own enjoyment over their responsibilities to the people they are supposed to be leading or protecting.
"and tomorrow will be as today, great beyond measure." This part reveals their delusion and lack of foresight. They believe that their current lifestyle of pleasure and excess will continue indefinitely. They are oblivious to any potential consequences or dangers that might arise. They are blind to any need for change or repentance. It's a statement of profound complacency and a denial of reality.
In essence, the verse paints a picture of:
Selfishness: They care only about their own immediate pleasure.
Irresponsibility: They neglect their duties and obligations.
Complacency: They are blind to potential problems and consequences.
Lack of Foresight: They assume their good fortune will continue without end.
Spiritual Blindness: They are not aware of God's judgment or the need for repentance.
Context within Isaiah 56:
Isaiah 56 as a whole deals with themes of justice, righteousness, and the inclusion of all people in God's covenant. This verse serves as a sharp contrast to these themes. It is a condemnation of those who are supposed to be guiding and protecting the people, but who are instead indulging in selfish pleasures and neglecting their duties. They are the opposite of the kind of leaders God desires.
It's also worth noting that excessive drinking was often associated with moral decay and spiritual negligence in the Old Testament. These leaders are not just enjoying themselves; they are actively harming themselves and their community through their excessive consumption and lack of responsibility.