Ephraim's Fading Crown Meets a Better Crown

Ephraim's drunk crown of flowers meets a destroying storm

Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine! Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand. The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: and the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.

Samaria's proud wreath, worn by wine-overwhelmed leaders in a rich valley, is swallowed like an early fig. The storm is judgment on that pride, not a partisan weapon to throw at any modern city, and not punitive control dressed as hail.

The remnant receives a different crown: the LORD as beauty, justice, and strength

In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, and for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.

Beauty, just judgment, and strength at the gate replace the fading flower. Concern for justice here must include people harmed by one's own courts and gates, not only Ephraim's drunk wreath.