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Isaiah, in a scathing attack on Israel’s (Ephraim’s) callous infidelity, makes a play on the concept of the wreath or garland of flowers. Party-going revelers often wore such wreaths but, in their enthusiastic intoxication, failed to see that with the passing of time their flowers had faded and died. Such would be the fortunes of the northern kingdom and its chief city, its crowning wreath, Samaria. It would soon be destroyed by invading Assyrians who would sweep in like a devastating hailstorm (v.2). The events of 721 b.c. were surely in view, when Assyria invaded the northern kingdom and took Samaria like a fig ripe before harvest (v.4).
Note the striking contrast of vv.5 and 6. The Lord will always preserve a remnant, and he will be its glorious crown.
Vv.7-13 resume the attack with particular focus on the priests and prophets. In vv.9 and 10 they object in mocking fashion, insisting on their ability to perceive reality. True to Isaiah’s initial vision (6:9-10), the people in their pride hear but do not understand, see but do not perceive.
Isaiah responds with renewed vigor. If they will not learn the words of love and justice from God, then they must learn the words of oppression from the Assyrians (vv.11-13).