Isaiah 28:11
For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speake to this people. Isaiah 28:11 (KJV)
The book of Isaiah is a prophetic work composed during the reigns of several kings of the southern kingdom of Judah. Isaiah delivered his messages chiefly to the people of Judah, warning them of impending judgment because of disobedience and unfaithfulness to God. In chapter 28 the prophet turns his rebuke toward the nation’s leaders and priests, whose drunkenness, pride, and neglect of spiritual duties had left the people spiritually vulnerable.
Interpretation
In verse 11 Isaiah foretells that God will address a people who refuse to listen by using “stammering lips and another tongue.” The language is understood as a metaphor for foreign invaders who would speak in unfamiliar languages, a sign that the nation’s rejection of God’s word would invite judgment from outside powers.
Historical fulfillment
The prophecy found partial fulfillment in the Assyrian domination of the 8th century BCE. Under kings such as Shalmaneser V and Sargon II the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE, carrying many Israelites into exile. Their commanders communicated in Assyrian, a language foreign to the Hebrew‑speaking population, thereby matching Isaiah’s description. Later, King Sennacherib’s campaigns against Judah also demonstrated the same linguistic barrier.
Spiritual significance
Beyond the historical picture, the verse points forward to the New Testament event of Pentecost. As recorded in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to speak in many languages, allowing the gathered crowd from diverse nations to understand the gospel. This reversal of the Babel confusion highlights God’s power to bridge linguistic divides and to proclaim His message to every nation.
Application
Isaiah 28:11 reminds believers of God’s sovereignty and His ability to communicate through unexpected means. It calls us to be attentive to God’s voice—whether heard in Scripture, preaching, prophetic words, or the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The passage also underscores that the gospel is not confined to a single language or culture but is meant to be shared with people of every tongue.
In sum, the verse warns of judgment through foreign conquerors, records a historical partial fulfillment, and points to the ultimate spiritual fulfillment in Pentecost, urging us to remain receptive to God’s diverse communications.
