Chapter 5 - Therefore ...

The last section of Isaiah chapter 5 pronounces the judgments in response to the woes of the preceding section. Two long verses begin with "Therefore" and go on to reveal YHWH's judgment for disobedience.

Isaiah 5:24-25 (HCSB) Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes straw and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will become like something rotten and their blossoms will blow away like dust, for they have rejected the instruction of the LORD of Hosts, and they have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore the LORD’s anger burns against His people. He raised His hand against them and struck them; the mountains quaked, and their corpses were like garbage in the streets. In all this, His anger is not removed, and His hand is still raised ⌊to strike⌋.

Verse 24 shows us that these people who had the oracles of God and advantages no other nation did, rejected His instructions and despised His holy Word. Recall the scene when young Josiah was exposed to the Scriptures (2 Chron 34) - national Israel had suffered under countless worthless kings and the book of the law had been lost! It was found when Josiah was a young man and his response was remarkable, for he did what we would expect any leader of God's people to do. But he was the exception, not the rule.

And the Lord's anger burned against national Israel and He struck them so that their corpses were like overturned garbage cans in the street. When Isaiah wrote this, the hand of God was still raised against them. This is a stark contrast to the picture of YHWH leading them out of Egypt by His strong arm. Now that arm was against them and they were unable to stand.

Then we see that God turns His attention to the Gentiles: Isaiah 5:26 (HCSB) He raises a signal flag for the distant nations and whistles for them from the ends of the earth. Look—how quickly and swiftly they come!

When those who have been given ears to hear are called, they come! From before the foundation of the world, people from every nation, tribe, and tongue were chosen to be among the redeemed. Isaiah was one of several prophets who shed light on this.

The rest of this chapter describes the true covenant people of God. Isaiah 5:27-29 (HCSB) None of them grows weary or stumbles; no one slumbers or sleeps. No belt is loose and no sandal strap broken. Their arrows are sharpened, and all their bows strung. Their horses’ hooves are like flint; their ⌊chariot⌋ wheels are like a whirlwind. Their roaring is like a lion’s; they roar like young lions; they growl and seize their prey and carry ⌊it⌋ off, and no one can rescue ⌊it⌋.

His people don't grow weary, etc. because He holds them up and causes them to walk in His ways. And the gates of hell cannot defeat us!

Isaiah 5:30 (HCSB) On that day they will roar over it, like the roaring of the sea. When one looks at the land, there will be darkness and distress; light will be obscured by clouds.

On the day when Christ returns, victory will be ours. The people of the world will be in distress. The only hope for man is in the God-man, Christ Jesus. He came to save sinners - but when He comes the second time, it will not be to deal with sin. No second chances. He is coming. Are you ready?