Isaiah 51:21
Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
The distinction between drunkenness from wine versus judgment's cup addresses both literal and metaphorical conditions. Lamentations 4:21 prophesies that Edom will drink the cup, showing this image was understood in Isaiah's cultural context. The phrase "not with wine" prevents misunderstanding—this isn't moral failure through intoxication but suffering under divine judgment.
Ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature often addressed proper and improper drinking (Proverbs 23:29-35, 31:4-7). Isaiah's qualification ensures listeners understand Jerusalem's condition results from God's judgment, not their alcoholism. The promise of hearing suggests the deafness induced by judgment will be overcome by God's word—foreshadowing the gospel where Christ addresses spiritually deaf and blind (Mark 7:37, John 9:39), enabling them to hear and see through divine power.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God meeting you 'in your affliction' rather than requiring you to clean up first demonstrate grace?
- What spiritual stupor (not from wine but from judgment, fear, or sin) clouds your hearing of God's word?
- How can you extend similar patient address to others who are spiritually 'drunken but not with wine'?
Analysis & Commentary
Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine: The transitional "Therefore" (lakhen, לָכֵן) signals a crucial shift from judgment (vv. 17-20) to mercy. Despite deserved wrath, God addresses His people with covenant tenderness: "thou afflicted" ('aniyah, עֲנִיָּה) acknowledges their suffering; "drunken" recalls the cup of fury (v. 17); but the qualification "not with wine" distinguishes this intoxication from careless revelry—this is judgment's stupor, not pleasure's excess.
The call "hear now this" demands attention to the reversal about to be announced. God addresses those in misery, not those who've achieved victory or demonstrated worthiness. This models gospel grace—God speaks comfort to the afflicted, not the self-righteous. The acknowledgment that drunkenness comes "not with wine" shows God understands the cause of their condition; He doesn't mock their weakness or demand they sober up through willpower. He addresses them in their affliction, meeting them where they are.
From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates effectual calling—God speaks to the spiritually stupefied, those incapable of responding apart from grace. The word itself enables hearing: "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). God doesn't wait for Jerusalem to awaken herself (v. 17's command); He addresses her in her drunken state, His word itself creating capacity to hear. This grounds assurance in divine initiative, not human capability.