Conclusion of Hating Sin and Loving Truth

Appropriately, Isaiah adds these final woes:  "Woe to those wise in their own eyes and discreet even in front of their own faces!   Woe to those who are mighty in drinking wine, and to the men with vital energy for mixing intoxicating liquor, those who are pronouncing the wicked one righteous in consideration of a bribe, and who take away even the righteousness of the righteous one from him!"  (Isaiah 5:21-23)  Those words were evidently addressed to those serving as judges in the land.  Congregation elders today avoid seeming "wise in their own eyes."  They humbly accept counsel from fellow elders and adhere closely to organizational instructions.  (Proverbs 1:5; 1 Corinthians 14:33)  They are moderate in their use of alcoholic beverages, never indulging before carrying out congregation responsibilities.  (Hosea 4:11)  Elders also avoid giving even the appearance of showing favoritism.  (James 2:9)  How different from the clergy of Christendom!  Many of these whitewash the influential and wealthy  sinners in their midst, in direct contrast to the apostle Paul's warnings at Romans 1:18, 26, 27; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; and Ephesians 5:3-5

Isaiah concludes this prophetic message by describing a calamitous end for those who "have rejected the law of  Jehovah"  and failed to bear righteous fruit. (Isaiah 5:24, 25; Hosea 9:16; Malachi 4:1)  He declares: "[Jehovah] has raised up a signal to a great nation far away, and he has whistled to it at the extremity of the earth; and, look!  In haste, it will swiftly come in." -Isaiah 5:26; Deuteronomy 28:49; Jeremiah 5:15. 

In ancient time a pole on an elevated site could serve as "a signal," or rallying point, for people of armies.  (Compare Isaiah 18:3; Jeremiah 51:27)  Now Jehovah himself will rally this unnamed "great nation" to execute judgment.  He will 'whistle to it," that is, draw its attention to his wayward people as an object worthy of conquest.  the prophet next describes the swift and terrifying onslaught of these lion like conquerors who will "grab how of the prey," that is, God's nation, "and bring it safely away" into captivity.  (Read Isaiah 5:27-30a)  And what a sad result for the land of Jehovah's people!   "One will actually gaze at the land, and look! there is distressing darkness; and even the light has grown dark because of the drops falling on it." -Isaiah 5:30b.

Yes, the vineyard that God so lovingly planted proves itself barren-worthy only of destruction.  What a powerful lesson Isaiah's  words hold for all who could serve Jehovah today! May they strive to bear nothing but righteous fruit, to Jehovah's praise and to their own salvation!

Next time: Jehovah God Is in His Holy Temple, Chapter eight

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind