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²⁴ Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom go up like dust; for they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. ²⁵ Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against his people, and he stretched out his hand against them and struck them, and the mountains quaked; and their corpses were as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.” (Isaiah 5:24-25)

The Prophet Isaiah concluded his song of woe by announcing the LORD’s impending decision to bring a mighty army against the Nation of Judah. The purpose of this was to conquer the people of Israel and to leave the land in desolation, darkness and distress because of the people’s sin.

Secondly, because Judah rejected the Law of the LORD and despised the word from the Holy One of Israel, God’s anger was kindled against His people. Metaphorically, the LORD stretched out His hand against His people and struck them with judgment. Widespread death and destruction ensued.

Dr. John Walvoord explains that, “Isaiah had already mentioned a number of the judgments to come on the people because of their sins (vv. 13–17). Now he spoke again of the consequences of disobeying the covenant stipulations. These people Isaiah had been writing about would be burned like straw and dry grass and their flowers blown away like dust. This was because they had deliberately disobeyed God’s Word. Because of the Lord’s anger many would die in the streets of Jerusalem. His raised hand (cf. 14:27) suggests His executing punishment; the mountains shaking from an earthquake speaks of His awesome presence (cf. Ex. 19:18; 1 Kings 19:11; Jer. 4:24; Hab. 3:10).”

Let us never presume that the LORD’s judgment is only rooted in the past. His response upon those who have rejected Him and His Word will still be as swift and sure today. Therefore, repent while you have the opportunity.

Soli deo Gloria!

²² Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink, ²³ who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of his right!” (Isaiah 5:22-23)

The LORD’s first woe against the Nation of Judah in the 8^th century B.C. was materialism. The second woe was directed towards drunkenness and devotion to pleasure while concurrently the people neglected the LORD’s work of judgment and redemption. The third woe was against those who ridicule and mock the LORD and His people; especially His prophet, Isaiah. The fourth woe concerned the reversal of morality. The fifth woe concerned those who were wise in their own opinion and not deriving wisdom from the LORD and His Word.

The sixth and final woe addresses injustice within the Nation of Judah’s court system. Unjust sentences were being handed down by drunk and bribed judges.

Isaiah does not identify the judges as heroes of justice but rather as heroes of drinking wine. To be a hero was to be strong and mighty. It was to be a champion. However, the strong and mighty champions of justice were instead drunks. They were consistently inebriated and intoxicated.

A similar statement is found in the latter portion of vs. 22. “Valiant men in mixing strong drink.” The word “valiant” means to be strong and efficient. The irony is that these judges were only strong and efficient in producing intoxicating beverages.

Not only were these judges personal behavior reprehensible, the professional ethics were even worse. They acquitted the guilty for a bribe. To acquit means to declare someone innocent of a crime. However, the acquittal was not upon the basis of irrefutable evidence but rather because the judge accepted a bribe. There was consistent quid pro quo rendering the judicial system a farce.

Additionally, because of financial favors being given for favorable judicial rulings, the innocent were denied justice. Justice was being turned aside.

John Calvin comments that, “We live that we may yield worship and obedience to God, and that we may render assistance to our neighbors. When men act so as not to maintain their strength, but to destroy it by trying how much food and wine the can bear, most certainly they are worse than beasts. He (Isaiah) also censures a corruption which at that time abounded in judgment-seats and points out the reason why there is not room or justice in these places. Namely, they (judges) are under the influence of gifts. For covetousness blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts all regard to what is good and just, even among those who would otherwise be disposed to follow what is right (Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19).”

 Dr. John Walvoord explains that, “Rather than being heroes and good government authorities, many leaders were known for their heavy drinking. They were ready to be bribed, not caring for the people they were ruling. They were more concerned for their own pleasure than for the rights of the innocent. Therefore they (those leaders) would be judged.”

Take time today to pray for those government leaders who seek to lead with integrity. Pray also for those who do not (Romans 13:1-7; I Timothy 2:1-3).

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

²¹ Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:21)

The LORD’s first woe against the Nation of Judah in the 8^th century B.C. was materialism. The second woe was directed towards drunkenness and devotion to pleasure while concurrently the people neglected the LORD’s work of judgment and redemption. The third woe was against those who ridiculed and mocked the LORD and His people; especially His prophet, Isaiah. The fourth woe concerned the reversal of morality.

The fifth woe concerned those who were wise in their own opinion and not deriving wisdom from the LORD and His Word. The LORD will bring judgment upon those who are presently and actively seeking for wisdom within themselves.

Wisdom, or to be wise, (Heb. Ha’Kam) means to be skillful, clever, experienced or shrewd. While it can mean to possess the knowledge of a craftsman in some technical work (Exodus 35:10, 25; 36:1, 2, 4, 8; Isaiah 3:3; Jeremiah 10:9; Ezekiel 27:8), it is also a capacity for understanding and discernment (Proverbs 10:8).

A synonym is the word shrewd (ne’bo nim). It means to have understanding, perception and discernment.

As one theologian explains, “The word “wisdom,” with reference to human beings, is used in a variety of different ways in the OT. The word is often used as virtually synonymous with the term “knowledge,” but in its general and secular uses it commonly indicates applied knowledge, skill, or even cunning. Wisdom could be defined as either “superior mental capacity” or “superior skill.” Thus, wisdom is used to describe both the cunning of King Solomon (1 Kings 2:1–6) and the skill of the craftsman Bezalel (Exodus 35:33). But it was also used to describe mental capacities and skills that had a moral component—the capacity to understand and to do good.”

Dr. R. C. Sproul explains that, “There is a section of the Old Testament known as the Wisdom Literature — the books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. Wisdom Literature makes a startling affirmation: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Ps. 111:10; Prov. 9:10). For the Jews, wisdom meant a practical understanding of how to live a life that is pleasing to God. The pursuit of godliness was a central concern of the writers of the Wisdom Literature. They affirmed that the necessary condition for anyone to have true wisdom is a fear of the Lord.”

The woe contained in today’s text is not a condemnation against wisdom or shrewdness, but rather the pursuit of wisdom void of a prior pursuit of God. It is a wisdom which is man-centered and not God-centered.

Wisdom is the practical application of knowledge from God through His Word. People may possess knowledge and not have wisdom, but they cannot have wisdom without knowledge. The knowledge people must have to truly have wisdom is a knowledge of God which He has given of Himself. This knowledge of, and from, God is not only found in creation but also in God’s Word (Psalm 19).

Proverbs 1:1–7 says, “The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: ² To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, ³ to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; ⁴ to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— ⁵ Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, ⁶ to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. ⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Dr. Sproul concludes by saying, “We want to be rich, successful, and comfortable, but we do not long for wisdom. Thus, we do not read the Scriptures, the supreme textbook of wisdom. This is foolishness. Let us pursue the knowledge of God through the Word of God, for in that way we will find wisdom to live lives that please Him.”

May we today pursue the knowledge and wisdom which is from God and not that which is found within ourselves.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

²⁰ Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20)

The LORD’s first woe against the Nation of Judah in the 8^th century B.C. was materialism. The second woe was directed towards drunkenness and devotion to pleasure while concurrently the people neglected the LORD’s work of judgment and redemption. The third woe was against those who ridiculed and mock the LORD and His people; especially His prophet, Isaiah.

The fourth woe concerns the reversal of morality. It is when a culture calls good evil and evil good. It is when moral darkness is preferred than moral light. It is when bitter is called sweet and sweet is called bitter. It is when people pride themselves in their wisdom and shrewdness and reject God’s wisdom. It is when all moral and biblical distinctions are reversed resulting in confusion and chaos.

The Apostle spoke of this in Romans 1:18-32. It is for such things that the wrath of God is coming.

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. ¹⁹ For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. ²¹ For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Claiming to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

²⁴ Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, ²⁵ because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

²⁶ For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; ²⁷ and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

²⁸ And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. ²⁹ They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, ³⁰ slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, ³¹ foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. ³² Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

John Calvin writes, “The Lord particularly reproves the insolence of those who endeavor to overthrow all distinction between good and evil.”

 There is only one remedy for a culture spiraling ever downward in a morass of immorality: repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Nothing else will correct a culture which has become morally corrupt.

Soli deo Gloria!

 

 

 

¹⁸ “Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood, who draw sin as with cart ropes, ¹⁹ who say: “Let him be quick, let him speed his work that we may see it; let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near, and let it come, that we may know it!” (Isaiah 5:18-19)

The LORD’s first woe against the Nation of Judah in the 8^th century B.C. was materialism. The second woe was directed towards drunkenness and devotion to pleasure while concurrently the people neglected the LORD’s work of judgment and redemption. The third woe was against those who ridicule and mock the LORD and His people; especially His prophet, Isaiah. The LORD is against the peoples’ obstinate perseverance in sin, as if they wished to provoke God’s divine judgments.”

As I write this blog, it is Saturday, April 4. The world is caught up in the midst of a widespread pandemic. A mandatory quarantine is in effect requiring people to remain, and work, within the confines of their homes for at least the rest of this month. With the exception of essential services, such as those who work in the food industry, many people find themselves either unemployed or experiencing a new normal. In the state of Indiana, where I live, the state government has even cancelled the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. Turbulent times to be sure.

It is during such times that you would think a return to acknowledging, and calling upon the sovereign God of the universe in prayer, would be welcome and even encouraged. However, when one such Christian businessman, Mike Lindell of My Pillow, did so recently from the White House Rose Garden the mainstream, liberal media severely derided and criticized him.

Lindell announced Monday, March 30, that he hoped to have his company producing 50,000 medical face masks a day to distribute around the country by the end of the week. “This isn’t a political thing,” Lindell said Tuesday, March 31. “We’ve gotta get back to God and pray. … I’m so thankful everybody from all walks of life and all sides of the political aisle did get behind it against this, this evil media that’s out there. … I don’t even know why they do that. I can’t explain it. I don’t know Jim Acosta. I’ve never met him before.” Acosta, a CNN reporter, suggested Lindell’s appearance during the press conference was a shameless act of self-promotion for his business.

Ridiculing God, and His people, is not new. What is done in our contemporary culture was done in Israel in the 8^th century B.C. Truly, there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

The unbelieving people of Judah consistently mocked the LORD who created them and provided for them. They lived in shameless rebellion against the LORD and then taunted Him, and His prophets, regarding when His so-called judgment was going to occur.

Today’s text says, ““Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood, who draw sin as with cart ropes.” Within the context, the people were consistently seizing and drawing out iniquity, falsehood and sin in their lives. Like drawing water from a well, or dragging a cart with ropes, they did not cease from this ceaseless activity of wickedness.

If that were not enough, they then challenged God by saying, ““Let him (God) be quick, let him speed his work that we may see it; let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near, and let it come, that we may know it!”

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “The taunting unbelievers said, “Where is the judgment of which you have spoken, Isaiah? Bring it on. We will believe it when we see it.” This challenge for God to hasten his judgment represented their disbelief that the Holy One of Israel would judge the people.”

God did bring judgement upon the Nation of Judah (2 Chronicles 36; Daniel 1). He will not be mocked (Galatians 6:7-8). Not then, in the 8^th century B.C., and not now in the 21^st century A.D.

Soli deo Gloria!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

¹¹ Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them! ^12 “They have lyre and harp, tambourine and flute and wine at their feasts, but they do not regard the deeds of the Lord, or see the work of his hands. ¹³ Therefore my people go into exile for lack of knowledge; their honored men go hungry, and their multitude is parched with thirst. ¹⁴ Therefore Sheol has enlarged its appetite and opened its mouth beyond measure, and the nobility of Jerusalem and her multitude will go down, her revelers and he who exults in her. ¹⁵ Man is humbled, and each one is brought low, and the eyes of the haughty are brought low. ¹⁶ But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness. ¹⁷ Then shall the lambs graze as in their pasture, and nomads shall eat among the ruins of the rich.”

The LORD’s first woe against the Nation of Judah in the 8^th century B.C. was materialism. The second woe was directed towards drunkenness and devotion to pleasure while concurrently the people neglected the LORD’s work of judgment and redemption.

The people’s desire for strong alcoholic drink from early in the morning until late at night prompted condemnation from Isaiah. The people were more concerned with partying and being entertained than having regard for the LORD’s work. The judgment from God would be hunger and thirst. Since this is what the people lived for, God would remove the idol of their appetites.

However, the appetite of Sheol, or the place of the dead, would continue to be large and be enlarged. From the nobility to the commoner, all the rebellious and unrepentant would feel its pain. The prideful sinner would be humbled.

Dr. John MacArthur writes that, “This term (Sheol) in this context pictures death as a great monster with wide-open jaws, ready to receive its victims. Such was to be the fate of those who perish in the captivity God will send to punish the people’s sinfulness.”

The only one who would be exalted, even in judgment, would be the LORD. It is because the LORD shows Himself holy in His righteous justice.

The only ones who would inhabit the land would be lambs and nomadic herdsman. They alone would eat among the ruins of the rich.

The striking parallel between Judah in the 8^th century B.C. and America in the 21^st century A.D. is huge. Even in the midst of a pandemic, there are those who cannot face the possibility of no parties. So, they engage in at risk behavior and become infected with the corona-virus.

It is time for people to repent or face the judgment from the LORD.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁸  Woe to those who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is no more room, and you are made to dwell alone in the midst of the land. ⁹ The Lord of hosts has sworn in my hearing: “Surely many houses shall be desolate, large and beautiful houses, without inhabitant. ¹⁰ For ten acres of vineyard shall yield but one bath, and a homer of seed shall yield but an ephah.” (Isaiah 5:8-10)

The prophets of God had a twofold message from God to the people of God. The prophet’s message from the LORD was called an oracle. An oracle was a divine revelation communicated through God’s spokesperson (prophet, priest, or king), usually pronouncing blessing, instruction, or judgment.

An oracle of blessing would be prefaced by the word “blessed.” However, an oracle of judgment would be preceded by the word “woe.” In the Song of Isaiah the Prophet, which is contained in Isaiah 5, Isaiah issued a series of six woes upon the Nation of Judah in general, and the Jewish people in particular. The reasons for the woes was Israel’s bad fruit of unrighteousness, previously referred to in Isaiah 5:1-7. The first woe is contained in vs. 8-10.

The LORD pronounced judgment upon Israel because of their greedy real estate owners and their crass materialism. The vocabulary indicates that these owners were violently attacking dwelling place after dwelling place and pasture and pasture in their desire for more.

Dr. Roy Zuck explains that, “Selling houses permanently in a walled city was allowed under the Law, but selling houses in unwalled cities and fields was allowed only until the Year of Jubilee when the houses would revert back to their former owners. Because God had given the people the land they were not to get rich at others’ expense.”

Due to this materialism, the houses and lands, which were so coveted, would become desolate. No one would inhabit them. This would be God’s judgment upon them.

Dr. John Walvoord comments that, “As noted in the Mosaic Covenant (Deut. 28:20–24), their crops would fail. Normally a large vineyard would produce many gallons of wine, but here the amount would be a mere six gallons (a bath). And six bushels (a homer) of seed would normally yield scores of bushels of grain, but ironically the grain would be only one-half a bushel (an ephah), just 1/12 the amount of seed sown!^”

Dr. John MacArthur explains that, “God judged the greedy rich by reducing the productivity of their land to a small fraction of what it would have been normally. Such amounts, (as listed by Isaiah) indicate famine conditions.”

Proverbs 30:7-9 says, “⁷ Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: ⁸ Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, ⁹ lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.”

I Timothy 6:6-11 says, “⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain, ⁷ for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. ⁹ But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.¹¹ But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”

Perhaps the LORD has allowed this recent pandemic to remove the sin of materialism from our own souls. It is worth considering.

Soli deo Gloria!  

 

 

 

 

“Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. ²  He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. ³ And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. ⁴ What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes? ⁵ And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. ⁶ I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. ⁷  For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting; and he looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!” (Isaiah 5:1-7)

Of the many characteristics of the Prophet Isaiah, one thing that might not come to mind when thinking about the prophet is that he was a musician and a composer. Isaiah 5 contains the prophet’s love song on behalf of the LORD toward His people, Israel.

John Calvin explains that, “Isaiah composed this song that he might present to the people a clearer view of their wickedness. Undoubtedly, he handled this subject with magnificent and harmonious language for the highest skill is commonly exercised in the composition of poems.

Who are the subjects of this love song? First of all, there is the beloved. This is the LORD. He is the One who possesses a vineyard. The word vineyard is a metaphor symbolizing God’s people (Isaiah 27; Ezekiel 15; John 15:1-7). In the immediate context, the vineyard is Israel.

What does the text say about the vineyard, aside from being the object of the LORD’s love and affection? To begin with, the vineyard was located on a fertile hill. The LORD dug this ground, removed the stones and planted the vineyard with choice vines. The LORD also built a watchtower in its midst in order to be on the alert for any predators who might seek to damage or destroy the vineyard or steal its grapes. The LORD also constructed a wine vat fully expecting the grapes would yield fine juice, which when fermented would become excellent wine.

However, the vineyard did not produce fine grapes for wine, but rather wild grapes. The phrase “wild grapes” means sour, hard, stinking, rotten and worthless grapes.

As Isaiah composes this song, he speaks on behalf of the LORD. The prophet asks a series of rhetorical questions in vs. 3-4. “³ And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. ⁴ What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes” The answers are obvious. The LORD did everything He could in order to ensure the fruitfulness of His vineyard.

What will the LORD do in response to the vineyard producing rotten and unusable grapes? The answers are found in vs. 5-6. “? ⁵ And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. ⁶ I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.”

 The significance of the vineyard metaphor is finally clarified in vs. 7. ^“For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting; and he looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!” The sour and rotten grapes of Israel is not justice and righteousness but rather bloodshed and the cry of injustice.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “The vineyard in this song is identified as Israel and Judah. As elsewhere in Isaiah, “Israel” is sometimes a synonym for the Southern Kingdom (Neh. 1:6; 13:3). Delighting in His people, God wanted good fruit, that is, justice and righteousness (cf. comments on Isa. 1:21). Instead He saw only bloodshed (cf. 1:15) and heard cries of distress. Because of its “bad grapes” (injustice) most people would be killed or taken into captivity. Isaiah used two interesting cases of assonance (similarity in word sounds) to stress the contrast between what God expected in His people and what happened to them. “Justice” (mišpāṭ) was replaced with “bloodshed” (miśpoḥ), and instead of “righteousness” (ṣeḏāqâh) there was “distress” (se‘āqâh).”

Calvin comments that, “Isaiah does not illustrate every part of this metaphor; nor was it necessary. It was enough to point out what was its object. The whole nation was the vineyard, the individual men were the plants. Thus, he (Yahweh) accuses the whole body of the nation, and then every individual, so that no man could escape the universal condemnation. The same doctrine ought to be inculcated on us at the present day. Christ affirms that he is the vine (John 15:1) and that having been engrafted into this vine, we are place under the care of the Father.”

Let each of us examine the fruitfulness of our spiritual lives (Galatians 5:16-23) to see if each of us who are in Christ are yielding, and being, good fruit.

As one commentator explains, “We are not counted as righteous before the Lord because of our service to Him. Nevertheless, if we are not fruitful in serving Him, then we do not abide in His choice vine—the Lord Jesus Christ—whose work alone can save us. By the Spirit, we must continue to abide in Christ and bear fruit unto the Lord’s glory in the form of love for God and neighbor.”

Soli deo Gloria!