God’s Forbearance

Isaiah 5:18-30

“Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: 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!” (Isaiah 5:18-19)

There are people who deliberately try to provoke others to do something wrong just so they can see them get into trouble.  They are like the little girl or boy who keeps picking on their brother until he gets angry and hits them, then run to their parents accusing him of being mean to them just to get him into trouble.  God will not ignore what they are doing, but will punish them as well. 

“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!” (Isaiah 5:20)

God’s curse is on those who deliberately twist things to make what is wrong seem right and what is right appear wrong.  There are several common examples in our day, with the most obvious being the promotion of homosexual behavior and accusing those who oppose it of hate crimes.  Others include the death penalty for murder, the abortion debate, and many others.

“Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:21)

God’s curse is on those who think they know everything and do not need god’s or anybody else’s advice or instruction. 

“Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!  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. ” (Isaiah 5:22-24)

God’s judgment is upon those who devote their time to drinking wine or alcoholic beverages.  Bathsheba told Solomon, “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.” In Proverbs 31:4-5.  Their perceptions are distorted as a result of the alcohol they chose to drink and they end up rewarding those who did the wrong and punishing those who were in the right, accusing the good of being evil and taking bribes.  As a result of their distortion and rejection of God’s commandments, their entire system is rotten and will fail.

“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.” (Isaiah 5:25a)

Because they had chosen to do so many things that angered God, he had sent judgment on them, in the form of the Assyrian army attacking them like they had attacked Israel.  Israel had been destroyed. And Judah was terrified they would be as well. 

“For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.  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: 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: Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind.

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.  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.” (Isaiah 5:25b-30)

Despite all their sin, God still loved Judah, and would not let them be destroyed by the Assyrians like Israel had been.   When Hezekiah led the people to turn to God, he would send other forces that would attack and destroy the Assyrian army.  Though the prophecy was made during Ahaz’ reign, it would be fulfilled in Hezekiah’s day.