The Enemy Comes

Isaiah the prophet gives us the picture, the analogy, of the vineyard.  The vineyard’s husbandman/owner had planted good vines, but only came forth with wild grapes.  Of course, the vineyard is speaking of the nation of Israel.  They had forsaken God, their Maker, Redeemer, Sustainer, and now it was time to pay the consequences.

There are six “Woes” pronounced against Israel; the first, to those who unjustly added land to their land – house to their house (v. 8ff); the second, had to do with their partying and debauchery, and falsely worship, but cannot see the handiwork of God (v. 11ff); thirdly, are those who just will not let go of sin, and blame the Holy One of Israel for iniquity; the fourth, are those who call evil good, and good evil (v. 20); fifth, the arrogant, self-satisfied, and no one could better them (v.21); and sixth, those who are boasting in their parties and drinking while supposedly making just judgments, acquiting the guilty and condemning the innocent (vv. 22-23).

One thing that should be abundantly clear in all this is that God is not satisfied when His people do ungodly things.  He finds it repulsive, and seeks to cleanse the people, to make a holy people unto Himself.

“He will raise a signal for nations afar off, and whistle for them from the ends of the earth; and behold, quickly, speedily they come! None is weary, none stumbles, none slumbers or sleeps, not a waistband is loose, not a sandal strap broken; their arrows are sharp, all their bows bent, their horses’ hoofs seem like flint, and their wheels like the whirlwind. Their roaring is like a lion, like young lions they roar; they growl and seize their prey; they carry it off, and none can rescue. They will growl over it on that day, like the growling of the sea. And if one looks to the land, behold, darkness and distress; and the light is darkened by its clouds.” Isaiah 5:26-30 (ESV).

We humans sometimes find it hard to understand discipline and in some cases judgment.  How can a loving God….?  You have heard the question, and they are endless.  Even if we could answer them we would still be unsatisfied with the answer.

We must understand that God is holy.  He works to make His people holy, and to glorify His name.  When those who wear His name behave contrary to His Word and will He will definitely discipline or judge, in order to rid us of evil.  He loves us so much He gave His Son to die for us, but that death will not be in vain.  The death was to make us like Jesus; living to glorify the Father.

When God’s people put on a false form of worship, and honor God with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him, and we will not repent; then, that is when THE ENEMY COMES.

His Hand, Stretched Out

In previous articles in the fifth chapter we have seen that the prophet has likened the people of Judah to a vineyard that had been planted, and nothing come from it but wild grapes.  They have been raised up by God, and they have turned from God, and gone their own way, thus bringing on themselves the six woes that has been pronounced against them.

The judges were guilty of accepting bribes following their heavy drinking, and debauchery; then, allowing the guilty to go free and condemning the just.  It sounds somewhat familiar to me.  I pray it is not entirely that bad in the United States, but if things continue as they are and the nation continues to drift further and further away from God.  That will increase.

Now we look at verses 24 and 25 of chapter five.  “Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom go up like dust; for they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts, and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.  Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against His people, and He stretched out His hand against them and struck them, and the mountains quaked; and their corpses were as refuse in the midst of the streets.  For all this His anger has not turned away, and His hand is stretched out still.”  Isaiah 5:24-25 (ESV).

The LORD of hosts, the Holy One of Israel is holy indeed.  Those two names are mentioned by the prophet to make a clear statement to all who will hear.  The statement is clearly that Judah has offended the God of their salvation; their deliverance; by rejecting His law.  O, they prided themselves in having the law, and the temple, but by turning from the God of Israel, they rejected the very thing which they held dear.

The LORD God desires that His hand hold, protect, guide, comfort, heal, provide, and encourage; and probably a lot many more pleasant things.  In our text we see His hand instead judging.  He likens them to fire devouring stubble, dry grass sinking down in the flame; and as rotten roots, that drys up, and any blossom goes like dust to the wind.  “He stretched out His hand against them and struck them…”  We must realize the Holy One of Israel finds no pleasure in judging His people.  God desires to bless His people exceedingly.

The last part of verse 25, tells us that God’s anger is not turned away.  His anger toward sin in His people cannot be turned away.  If the Holy One turned away from judging sin He would no longer be holy.  No longer be the Holy One.  Because He is holy He judges sin, and especially in those who are His.  There are many who profess to be God’s people who choose to live as they please in sin, debauchery, and all forms of wickedness, and enjoy their sin.  Their profession is false; unless, their is conviction from the Holy One that makes them miserable in their sin.  If they are miserable in sin, then, they are not enjoying the sinful life.  A couple of thoughts on this; first,  God will do whatever it takes to make His people holy; second,  God is pleased to save you where and as you are, but He loves you so much that He will not leave you where and as you are. 

The verse tells us that the “mountains quaked” when He struck them, and their “corpses as refuse in the midst of the streets”.  How sad that the people of God could end up so judged.  His anger is still not turned away.  His hand is stretched out still.  He is still judging the Nation of Israel.  There is further judgment coming.

People who name the Name of Jesus.  Look to Him and live.  Live for Him and do not be judged.  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart”.  When you turn from Him you will trust in yourself, and other idols.