Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"They are greedy dogs"
Text: Isaiah 56:11
A FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF THE ENEMIES
The LORD provided another description of the enemies of Israel. This was an even more telling description.
“Yes, they are greedy dogs
Which never have enough.
And they are shepherds
Who cannot understand;
They all look to their own way,
Every one for his own gain,
From his own territory.
‘Come,’ one says, ‘I will bring wine,
And we will fill ourselves with intoxicating drink;
Tomorrow will be as today,
And much more abundant.'”
Isaiah 56:11-12
1. Imagery of dogs.
a) The enemies were compared to dogs.
b) They were greedy dogs that never seemed to have enough.
2. Imagery of shepherds.
a) These were shepherds which had no understanding of shepherding.
b) They were not interested in their flocks:
i) Their well-being.
ii) Their safety.
c) They were more concerned about themselves:
i) Their personal gain.
ii) Their allotted territory.
3. Imagery of drunkards.
a) They were focused on partying.
b) Food and drink were their main concern.
c) They did not care about the empire they had obtained.
d) They were not faithful in caring for their people.
e) They believed erroneously that their empire would remain strong.
f) They believed that the success they enjoyed in the present
would continue in the future.
The Assyrian Empire would fall to the Babylonians because of their irresponsibility and neglect!