Read Isaiah 5 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
5:1-7 {p} The song of YHVH’s vineyard, which did not yield its fruit
5:8-10 {s} Woe to those who eat up houses and fields/ great houses shall be made desolate
5:11-17 {s} Woe to those who drink and feast/ everything lofty shall be brought low
5:18-19 {p} Woe to those who embrace sin and mock at YHVH’s coming judgment
5:20 {s} Woe to those who call evil, darkness, bitter, rather good, light, sweet
5:21 {s} Woe to those wise and prudent in their own eyes and estimation
5:22-23 {p} Woe to those who justify the wicked and condemn the righteous
5:24-30 {p} Because they have rejected the Torah of YHVH, His people will become a prey
The Strong themes:
5:8-19 {s+s+p} Woe to those who feed on the poor, embrace sin, mock at YHVH
5:20-23 {s+s+p} Woe to those who call evil good, thinking themselves wise in justifying the wicked, condemning the righteous
Woe to those drawing iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as with cart ropes. Isa 5:18
The Hebrew khavley hashshav (“cords of vanity”) depicts false, worthless justifications for sin. They are drawing iniquity after them, using excuses (cords) for continuing in it, but which are ultimately flimsy and foolish. The Hebrew avot ha‘agalah (“cart ropes”) portrays strong, deliberate commitment to wickedness and presistent rebellion.
Who say, “Let Him hasten, let Him speed His work, that we may see; and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, that we may know.” Isa 5:19
It’s as if they are saying, “Hey YHVH! Hurry up, we want to see this supposed judgment, har har har! What’s taking You so long?!” They are mocking Him because they don’t believe anything will ever come of it, so they are secure in their evil doing.
Woe to those saying to evil, “good,” and to good, “evil;” putting darkness for light, and light for darkness; putting bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. Isa 5:20
They take all of YHVH’s definitions for good and evil, righteous and unrighteous acts, true and false judgments, found in Torah, turning every one on their head.
Woe to those wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own estimation. Isa 5:21
The Hebrew neged p’neyhem nevonim (“before their faces prudent”) means discerning in their own estimation, parallel to chakhamim b’‘eyneyhem (“wise in their own eyes”). It reminds me of,
There is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way of death. Pro 16:25
The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have rejected the word of YHVH; so what wisdom do they have? Jer 8:9
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 1 Cor 1:18-19
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