1 Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:
2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.
4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?
5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; [and] break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:
6 And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: 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 his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
8 Woe unto them that join house to house, [that] lay field to field, till [there be] no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!
9 In mine ears [said] the LORD of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, [even] great and fair, without inhabitant.
10 Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah.
11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, [that] they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, [till] wine inflame them!
12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.
13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because [they have] no knowledge: and their honourable men [are] famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.
14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.
15 And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled:
16 But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.
17 Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.
18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:
19 That say, Let him make speed, [and] hasten his work, that we may see [it]: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know [it]!
20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe unto [them that are] wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
22 Woe unto [them that are] mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, [so] their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
25 Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases [were] torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.
26 And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:
27 None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:
28 Whose arrows [are] sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses’ hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:
29 Their roaring [shall be] like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry [it] away safe, and none shall deliver [it].
30 And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if [one] look unto the land, behold darkness [and] sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.
Overview of Isaiah Chapter 5
Isaiah Chapter 5 is a poignant and powerful passage that serves as a metaphorical song about God’s vineyard, representing Israel. The chapter explores themes of judgment, social injustice, and the consequences of moral decay. It is a call to reflection on the relationship between God and His people, illustrating the expectations God has for His creation and the repercussions of failing to meet those expectations.
The Song of the Vineyard (Verses 1-7)
In the opening verses, the prophet Isaiah presents a parable of a vineyard, which symbolizes Israel. The song highlights God’s care and investment in His people.
- God’s Love and Provision: The vineyard is planted on a fertile hill, indicating God’s abundant blessings and the ideal conditions He provided for Israel to thrive.
- Expectations of Fruitfulness: God expects the vineyard to produce good grapes, symbolizing righteousness and justice.
- Disappointment in Results: Instead of good grapes, the vineyard yields wild grapes, representing the moral failings and injustices present in Israel.
The metaphor illustrates the deep disappointment God feels when His people fail to live up to His expectations, leading to a declaration of judgment against them.
Judgment Pronounced (Verses 8-30)
The latter part of the chapter outlines the specific judgments that will befall Israel due to their unfaithfulness and social injustices.
- Woes to the Oppressors (Verses 8-10): The chapter begins with a series of “woes” pronounced against those who accumulate wealth at the expense of others, emphasizing the greed and materialism that have taken root in society.
- Corruption and Moral Decay (Verses 11-17): The text condemns those who indulge in excess and revelry, neglecting the needs of the poor and vulnerable. This reflects a broader theme of societal decay and the consequences of turning away from God’s ways.
- Rejection of God’s Law (Verses 18-24): Isaiah warns against those who mock divine justice and righteousness, leading to their eventual downfall. The imagery of darkness and destruction illustrates the dire consequences of sin.
- Invasion and Destruction (Verses 25-30): The chapter concludes with a vivid description of the impending judgment through foreign invaders, symbolizing God’s withdrawal of protection. The imagery of roaring lions and darkness signifies the chaos and despair that will ensue.
Theological Implications
Isaiah Chapter 5 presents several key theological themes:
- God’s Sovereignty: The chapter emphasizes God’s ultimate authority over His creation and His right to judge His people.
- Covenant Relationship: The metaphor of the vineyard underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, highlighting the expectations that come with that relationship.
- Social Justice: The focus on social injustices serves as a reminder of God’s concern for the marginalized and the call for His people to act justly.
- Consequences of Sin: The chapter illustrates the inevitable consequences of turning away from God, reinforcing the idea that sin leads to destruction.
Conclusion
Isaiah Chapter 5 serves as a powerful warning and a call to repentance. Through the imagery of the vineyard and the pronouncement of woes, it challenges readers to reflect on their own lives, the state of their society, and their relationship with God. The chapter remains relevant as it addresses the timeless issues of justice, morality, and the consequences of turning away from divine guidance.
