Verses 1-7 Isaiah’s parable of the vineyard

5.1

The prophet composes a song or prophetic parable of a vineyard, showing God’s mercy and Israel’s unresponsiveness. The very fruitful hill is Israel.

5.2

The “fence” could symbolise the protection of the Lord for the house of Israel, the stones could represent the effects of sin; in the “tower” of the vineyard, the prophets; in the “winepress,” the temple.

Grapes represent the righteous fruits expected from the vineyard. These grapes are sweet. Wild grapes represent wickedness and are bitter.

5.3

God here calls upon the guilty themselves to pass sentence in the case, and leaving it to them; because they could do no other than condemn themselves when they had received so many blessings from God and had been so ungrateful to him.

5.4

God has done all that could be done and is amazed at the unnatural fruit of so well-cared a vineyard.

5.5

He warns them that he will withdraw his protection from them, and give them up into the hands of their enemies.

5.6

God will remove His ministers and give the people up to their own wicked lusts. He will deprive them of his blessings. The Spirit of God will no longer rain down on their heads to guide, comfort and bless them.

5.7

God had treated the Jews as a farmer does a vineyard. This was “his” vineyard – the object of his faithful, unceasing care. 

and the men of Judah his pleasant plant –  plants in whom he took great delight and pleasure

Behold oppression.—The Hebrew word carries with it the idea of bloodshed.

A cry = a riotous or raucous outcry.

Verse 8-25 Warning of the consequences of apostasy and transgression

5.8

The wealthy landowners absorb the small farms of the poor.

5.9

The result will be that many great houses will be left desolate.

5.10

The bath was equal to about seven and a half gallons, and this was to be the whole produce of ten acres, from which an average yield of 500 baths might have been expected. The ephah was one tenth of a homer. So the harvest would only be one tenth of the seed sown.

5.11

Drunkenness and partying prevail, with no regard for God.

5.12

They did not see any plan or divine order in the world around them.

Viol = lyre. Tabret = drums.

5.13

Isaiah foresees the people going into captivity and describes it as an event already occurring. They have no knowledge of God. Even the rich people are starving and the common people thirst.

5.14

Hell, or the grave, is ready to receive vast numbers who will die. The rich and the poor, their noise and all they pride themselves on will be destroyed.

5.15

Everyone, both high and low, will be destroyed.

5.16

Through this righteous judgement God shows His holiness.

5.17

Then the poor and meek followers of God will be able to go wherever they want and strangers will possess the lands of the rich.

5.18

Evil-doers are depicted as harnessing themselves to a chariot of sin and pulling it with ropes of lies.

5.19

They will not believe in the Messiah until they see him

5.20

Woe to those who seek to confuse virtue and vice, good and evil. We see this prevalent in society today.

5.21

This verse refers to those who believe they know more than God. 

5.22

This refers to those who prided themselves on their ability to drink without becoming intoxicated.

5.23

Those who were guilty of crimes were declared innocent by bribed judges and other officials, whereas the innocent were found guilty so that they could be silenced or their property exploited. Obviously the dark evils that prevailed among the Israelites of the ancient kingdom of Judah help modern readers understand why the judgments of God come upon them. But today’s world can also learn a great lesson, for one need only look to see the same evils prevailing on many sides. The effects of sin today are as devastating as they were anciently. That is the message of Isaiah for today. (Institute Old Testament Manual)

5.24

They will be destroyed as easily as fire eats up stubble or dry grass. They shall be like a tree which not only withers in its branches, but dies and rots at the roots, and therefore is past all hopes of recovery. The root has reference to one’s parentage and the blossoms to offspring. The unrepentant wicked will not enjoy family ties in the eternities.

5.25

The Lord is angry. The “cause” of his anger was the crimes which are specified in this chapter. To stretch forth the hand can mean to protect but in this case means to punish.

And the hills did tremble – This expression is one that is often used in the Scriptures to denote the presence and anger of God. There would be many slain, and lying unburied, in the streets of Jerusalem. And this is not the end of the punishments.

Verses 26-30 He will lift up an Ensign to the Nations in the latter days.

5.26

Isaiah foretells that the Lord will establish His church as an ensign to the nations of the world.

Hiss = whistle ie signal for gathering

5.27

Those who are called to the work will be strengthened and assisted. They shall be watchful and diligent.

5.28

The arrows being sharpened refers to the training that missionaries receive. The bent bows refers to their readiness to do their work. The horses’ hoofs and the whirlwind wheels refer to modern modes of transport.

5.29

The roaring like a lion could refer to the noise of jet engines. The prey refers to those who accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.

5.30

In this case the lions could be the Lord’s messengers.