Isaiah 5
BSB1 I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. 2 He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! 3 “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. 4 What more could I have done for My vineyard than I already did for it? Why, when I expected sweet grapes, did it bring forth sour fruit? 5 Now I will tell you what I am about to do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be consumed; I will tear down its wall, and it will be trampled. 6 I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and thorns and briers will grow up. I will command the clouds that rain shall not fall on it." 7 For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress. 8 Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field until no place is left and you live alone in the land. 9 I heard the LORD of Hosts declare: “Surely many houses will become desolate, great mansions left unoccupied. 10 For ten acres of vineyard will yield but a bath of wine, and a homer of seed only an ephah of grain. “ 11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger into the evening, to be inflamed by wine. 12 At their feasts are the lyre and harp, tambourines and flutes and wine. They disregard the actions of the LORD and fail to see the work of His hands. 13 Therefore My people will go into exile for their lack of understanding; their dignitaries are starving and their masses are parched with thirst. 14 Therefore Sheol enlarges its throat and opens wide its enormous jaws, and down go Zion’s nobles and masses, her revelers and carousers! 15 So mankind will be brought low, and each man humbled; the arrogant will lower their eyes. 16 But the LORD of Hosts will be exalted by His justice, and the holy God will show Himself holy in righteousness. 17 Lambs will graze as in their own pastures, and strangers will feed in the ruins of the wealthy. 18 Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of deceit and pull sin along with cart ropes, 19 to those who say, “Let Him hurry and hasten His work so that we may see it! Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come so that we may know it!" 20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. 22 Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and champions in mixing beer, 23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice. 24 Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes the straw, and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will decay and their blossoms will blow away like dust; for they have rejected the instruction of the LORD of Hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. 25 Therefore the anger of the LORD burns against His people; His hand is raised against them to strike them down. The mountains quake, and the corpses lay like refuse in the streets. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised. 26 He lifts a banner for the distant nations and whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Behold—how speedily and swiftly they come! 27 None of them grows weary or stumbles; no one slumbers or sleeps. No belt is loose and no sandal strap is broken. 28 Their arrows are sharpened, and all their bows are strung. The hooves of their horses are like flint; their chariot wheels are like a whirlwind. 29 Their roaring is like that of a lion; they roar like young lions. They growl and seize their prey; they carry it away from deliverance. 30 In that day they will roar over it, like the roaring of the sea. If one looks over the land, he will see darkness and distress; even the light will be obscured by clouds.
Study Notes — Isaiah 5
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Isaiah 5
- Themes from Isaiah 5
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Isaiah 5
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Isaiah chapter 5 begins with a parable about a vineyard that represents Israel, which has failed to produce good fruit despite God's careful nurturing (Isaiah 5:1-7). The chapter then lists six woes that will come upon Israel because of their sins, including exploitation of the poor, love of drunkenness, and rejection of God's law (Isaiah 5:8-23). The chapter ends with a description of God's judgment on Israel, which will be carried out by a powerful and distant nation (Isaiah 5:24-30). Throughout the chapter, Isaiah emphasizes God's holiness and His demand for justice and righteousness from His people.
Context for the Chapter
Isaiah chapter 5 is part of a larger section of the book that announces God's judgment on Israel and the nations (Isaiah 1-39). The chapter is addressed to the people of Judah, who are warned about the dangers of rebellion against God and the importance of faithfulness and obedience. The chapter's themes of God's holiness and demand for justice are central to the book of Isaiah and are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Heart Application
The chapter's emphasis on God's holiness and demand for justice should lead us to examine our own hearts and lives. We should ask ourselves if we are producing good fruit, or if we are in rebellion against God. The chapter's warning against moral relativism should also lead us to be careful about how we think and speak about right and wrong.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Isaiah chapter 5 is a warning to God's people about the dangers of rebellion against Him. The chapter uses the parable of the vineyard to describe Israel's failure to produce good fruit, and it announces God's judgment on the nation. The chapter's themes of God's holiness and demand for justice are central to the book of Isaiah and are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. As we read this chapter, we should ask ourselves if we are producing good fruit, or if we are in rebellion against God (Isaiah 5:1-7).
Voices from the Church
“The vineyard of the Lord is not a place of ease and luxury, but a place of labor and fruitfulness. Let us strive to produce good fruit, lest we be cut off and thrown into the fire.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The woe that is pronounced upon those who call evil good and good evil is a warning to us all to be careful about how we think and speak about right and wrong. Let us not be deceived by the lies of the devil, but let us hold fast to the truth of God's word.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Parable of the Vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7) — The parable describes Israel's failure to produce good fruit despite God's careful nurturing. The vineyard represents Israel, and the fruit represents the nation's spiritual produce.
- The Six Woes (Isaiah 5:8-23) — The six woes announce God's judgment on Israel for their sins, including exploitation of the poor, love of drunkenness, and rejection of God's law.
- The Judgment of God (Isaiah 5:24-30) — The chapter ends with a description of God's judgment on Israel, which will be carried out by a powerful and distant nation.
- The Importance of Faithfulness — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God and obedience to His law. Israel's failure to produce good fruit is a result of their rebellion against God.
- The Danger of Moral Relativism — The chapter warns against the danger of moral relativism, where evil is called good and good is called evil. This kind of thinking leads to spiritual confusion and moral decay.
Core Doctrines
- The Holiness of God
- The chapter emphasizes God's holiness and demand for justice, highlighting the importance of moral integrity and obedience to God's law.
- The Importance of Faithfulness
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God and obedience to His law, highlighting the dangers of rebellion against God.
- The Danger of Moral Relativism
- The chapter warns against the danger of moral relativism, where evil is called good and good is called evil. This kind of thinking leads to spiritual confusion and moral decay.
- The Certainty of God's Judgment
- The chapter announces the certainty of God's judgment on Israel, which will be carried out by a powerful and distant nation. This emphasizes the importance of taking God's warnings seriously and repenting of sin.
Lessons from Isaiah 5
- The Importance of Faithfulness — The chapter teaches us that faithfulness to God and obedience to His law are essential for producing good fruit and avoiding God's judgment.
- The Danger of Moral Relativism — The chapter warns us against the danger of moral relativism, where evil is called good and good is called evil. This kind of thinking leads to spiritual confusion and moral decay.
- The Certainty of God's Judgment — The chapter announces the certainty of God's judgment on Israel, which will be carried out by a powerful and distant nation. This emphasizes the importance of taking God's warnings seriously and repenting of sin.
- The Importance of Discernment — The chapter teaches us the importance of discerning right from wrong and good from evil. We should be careful about how we think and speak about moral issues.
- The Necessity of Repentance — The chapter emphasizes the necessity of repentance and turning to God. We should examine our own hearts and lives, and turn to God in faith and obedience.
Themes from Isaiah 5
- God's Holiness — The chapter emphasizes God's holiness and demand for justice, highlighting the importance of moral integrity and obedience to God's law.
- The Importance of Faithfulness — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God and obedience to His law, highlighting the dangers of rebellion against God.
- The Danger of Moral Relativism — The chapter warns against the danger of moral relativism, where evil is called good and good is called evil. This kind of thinking leads to spiritual confusion and moral decay.
- The Certainty of God's Judgment — The chapter announces the certainty of God's judgment on Israel, which will be carried out by a powerful and distant nation. This emphasizes the importance of taking God's warnings seriously and repenting of sin.
- The Necessity of Repentance — The chapter emphasizes the necessity of repentance and turning to God. We should examine our own hearts and lives, and turn to God in faith and obedience.
Questions for Meditation
- What does the parable of the vineyard teach us about God's relationship with His people?
- How does the chapter's emphasis on God's holiness and demand for justice relate to our own lives and relationships with God?
- What are some ways that we can produce good fruit in our own lives, and what are some obstacles that might hinder our fruitfulness?
- How does the chapter's warning against moral relativism relate to our own cultural context, and what are some ways that we can avoid this kind of thinking?
- What does the chapter teach us about the certainty of God's judgment, and how should this truth affect our lives and relationships with God?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Parable of the Vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7)
| Isaiah 5:1 | The parable begins with a description of the vineyard, which represents Israel. God has carefully nurtured the vineyard, but it has failed to produce good fruit. |
| Isaiah 5:2 | The vineyard is described as being well-prepared and well-cared for, but it has produced only bad fruit. This is a picture of Israel's spiritual condition. |
| Isaiah 5:3 | God calls the people to judge between Him and His vineyard. He asks them to consider why the vineyard has failed to produce good fruit. |
| Isaiah 5:4 | God describes the careful nurturing He has given to the vineyard, including planting it, fencing it, and digging a winepress. Despite this care, the vineyard has produced only bad fruit. |
| Isaiah 5:5 | God announces that He will remove the hedge from around the vineyard and let it be trampled. This is a picture of God's judgment on Israel. |
| Isaiah 5:6 | The vineyard will be laid waste, and it will not be pruned or hoed. This is a picture of the desolation and destruction that will come upon Israel. |
| Isaiah 5:7 | The parable ends with a description of the vineyard's failure to produce good fruit. This is a picture of Israel's spiritual condition, and it emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God and obedience to His law. |
2. The Six Woes (Isaiah 5:8-23)
| Isaiah 5:8 | The first woe is pronounced upon those who exploit the poor and seize their houses. This is a picture of the economic injustice that was prevalent in Israel. |
| Isaiah 5:9 | The woe is emphasized by a description of the desolation that will come upon the land. The large houses will be left empty, and the fruitful fields will be laid waste. |
| Isaiah 5:10 | The second woe is pronounced upon those who love drunkenness and revelry. This is a picture of the moral decay that was prevalent in Israel. |
| Isaiah 5:11 | The woe is emphasized by a description of the judgment that will come upon those who love drunkenness. They will be led away by their enemies, and they will be unable to resist. |
| Isaiah 5:12 | The third woe is pronounced upon those who reject God's law and despise His word. This is a picture of the spiritual rebellion that was prevalent in Israel. |
| Isaiah 5:13 | The woe is emphasized by a description of the judgment that will come upon those who reject God's law. They will be led away by their enemies, and they will be unable to resist. |
| Isaiah 5:14 | The fourth woe is pronounced upon those who call evil good and good evil. This is a picture of the moral relativism that was prevalent in Israel. |
| Isaiah 5:15 | The woe is emphasized by a description of the judgment that will come upon those who call evil good and good evil. They will be humbled, and they will be brought low. |
| Isaiah 5:16 | The fifth woe is pronounced upon those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves to be above the law. This is a picture of the pride and arrogance that was prevalent in Israel. |
| Isaiah 5:17 | The woe is emphasized by a description of the judgment that will come upon those who are wise in their own eyes. They will be brought low, and they will be humbled. |
| Isaiah 5:18 | The sixth woe is pronounced upon those who drag sin behind them like a cart. This is a picture of the deliberate and willful sin that was prevalent in Israel. |
| Isaiah 5:19 | The woe is emphasized by a description of the judgment that will come upon those who drag sin behind them. They will be cut off, and they will be destroyed. |
| Isaiah 5:20 | The chapter emphasizes the importance of discerning right from wrong and good from evil. We should be careful about how we think and speak about moral issues. |
| Isaiah 5:21 | The chapter warns against the danger of moral relativism, where evil is called good and good is called evil. This kind of thinking leads to spiritual confusion and moral decay. |
| Isaiah 5:22 | The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God and obedience to His law. We should be careful about how we live our lives, and we should strive to produce good fruit. |
| Isaiah 5:23 | The chapter ends with a description of the judgment that will come upon those who are corrupt and unjust. They will be cut off, and they will be destroyed. |
3. The Judgment of God (Isaiah 5:24-30)
| Isaiah 5:24 | The chapter announces the certainty of God's judgment on Israel. The nation will be destroyed, and it will be laid waste. |
| Isaiah 5:25 | The judgment will be carried out by a powerful and distant nation. This is a picture of the desolation and destruction that will come upon Israel. |
| Isaiah 5:26 | The nation will be raised up like a banner, and it will be a signal to the surrounding nations. This is a picture of the judgment that will come upon Israel. |
| Isaiah 5:27 | The nation will be strong and powerful, and it will be able to carry out God's judgment on Israel. This is a picture of the destruction that will come upon the nation. |
| Isaiah 5:28 | The nation's arrows will be sharp, and its bows will be strung. This is a picture of the military power that will be used to carry out God's judgment on Israel. |
| Isaiah 5:29 | The nation's horses will be swift, and its chariots will be numerous. This is a picture of the speed and efficiency with which God's judgment will be carried out on Israel. |
| Isaiah 5:30 | The chapter ends with a description of the terror and fear that will come upon Israel. The nation will be destroyed, and it will be laid waste. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Isaiah chapter 5?
The main theme of Isaiah chapter 5 is God's judgment on Israel for their rebellion against Him. The chapter announces the certainty of God's judgment, which will be carried out by a powerful and distant nation (Isaiah 5:24-30).
What is the parable of the vineyard in Isaiah 5:1-7?
The parable of the vineyard is a picture of Israel's spiritual condition. The vineyard represents Israel, and the fruit represents the nation's spiritual produce. Despite God's careful nurturing, the vineyard has failed to produce good fruit, and it will be laid waste (Isaiah 5:5-6).
What are the six woes in Isaiah 5:8-23?
The six woes are a series of pronouncements of God's judgment on Israel for their sins. The woes include exploitation of the poor, love of drunkenness, rejection of God's law, calling evil good and good evil, being wise in one's own eyes, and dragging sin behind them like a cart (Isaiah 5:8-23).
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 5:1 → Matthew 21:33-46 | The parable of the vineyard in Isaiah 5:1-7 is similar to the parable of the vineyard in Matthew 21:33-46. Both parables describe the failure of God's people to produce good fruit, despite His careful nurturing. |
| 2 | Isaiah 5:20 → Proverbs 17:15 | The warning against calling evil good and good evil in Isaiah 5:20 is similar to the warning in Proverbs 17:15. Both passages emphasize the importance of discerning right from wrong and good from evil. |
| 3 | Isaiah 5:24 → Deuteronomy 28:49-50 | The prophecy of God's judgment on Israel in Isaiah 5:24-30 is similar to the prophecy in Deuteronomy 28:49-50. Both passages describe the destruction and desolation that will come upon Israel as a result of their rebellion against God. |
| 4 | Isaiah 5:8 → Micah 2:2 | The warning against exploiting the poor in Isaiah 5:8 is similar to the warning in Micah 2:2. Both passages emphasize the importance of justice and compassion for the poor and vulnerable. |
| 5 | Isaiah 5:11 → Hosea 7:5 | The warning against love of drunkenness in Isaiah 5:11 is similar to the warning in Hosea 7:5. Both passages emphasize the dangers of excess and the importance of self-control. |
| 6 | Isaiah 5:12 → Amos 5:10 | The warning against rejecting God's law in Isaiah 5:12 is similar to the warning in Amos 5:10. Both passages emphasize the importance of obedience to God's law and the dangers of rebellion against Him. |
| 7 | Isaiah 5:14 → | The warning against calling evil good and good evil in Isaiah 5:14 is similar to the warning in Romans 1:18-32. Both passages emphasize the dangers of moral relativism and the importance of discerning right from wrong. |
| 8 | Isaiah 5:16 → 1 Peter 5:5 | The warning against being wise in one's own eyes in Isaiah 5:16 is similar to the warning in 1 Peter 5:5. Both passages emphasize the importance of humility and the dangers of pride and arrogance. |
| 9 | Isaiah 5:18 → Galatians 6:7-8 | The warning against dragging sin behind them like a cart in Isaiah 5:18 is similar to the warning in Galatians 6:7-8. Both passages emphasize the importance of living a life of obedience to God and the dangers of deliberate and willful sin. |
| 10 | Isaiah 5:20 → 2 Timothy 3:1-5 | The warning against calling evil good and good evil in Isaiah 5:20 is similar to the warning in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Both passages emphasize the importance of discerning right from wrong and the dangers of moral relativism. |
Sermons on Isaiah 5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Broken Down City Without Walls by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Saul and his son Jonathan from the Bible. Saul's disobedience to God's commandments and his disregard for the word of the Lord l |
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A Burning Coal in His Hand by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher shares personal experiences and encounters with God that have deeply impacted his life. He talks about a meeting with another minister named Bob, who s |
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Anti-Booze Efforts by Billy Sunday | Billy Sunday passionately preaches against alcohol, expressing his determination to combat the saloon culture that he believes leads to the destruction of lives and families. He em |
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The Wall Is Down by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God is bringing a strong message to the United States through prophets and watchmen. He declares that God is no longer allowing people |
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False Prophets by Chuck Smith | This sermon focuses on the dangers of false prophets and the importance of discerning the truth of God's Word. It highlights the consequences of following deceptive teachings, usin |
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(In the Word) 08 - Bearing Fruit for God or the Devil by Milton Green | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of drawing near to God. He encourages the audience to reject old traditions and wrong teachings that may conflict with the Wo |
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Bearing Fruit - Part 2 by Keith Daniel | This sermon emphasizes the importance of bearing fruit in one's spiritual life, highlighting God's grief over unfruitful branches and the consequences of not producing fruit. It de |
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(Exodus) Exodus 24:1-8 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the state of sin and moral confusion in the world today. He references Isaiah's prophecy about a time when sin would be called good and bad w |
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When the Walls Come Down by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on what more God can do for his vineyard and his people. He emphasizes that God has already done everything possible to bring ministers and bl |
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Isaiah 64 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of studying Acts 26 and Isaiah 40 in order to understand the role of a preacher and the concept of God. He encourages preache |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Isaiah 5
Matthew Henry's commentary on Isaiah 5 emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God and obedience to His law. The chapter's themes of God's holiness and demand for justice are central to the book of Isaiah and are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Henry notes that the parable of the vineyard is a picture of Israel's spiritual condition, and that the six woes are a series of pronouncements of God's judgment on Israel for their sins. He also emphasizes the importance of discerning right from wrong and good from evil, and the dangers of moral relativism. Throughout the commentary, Henry emphasizes the practical lessons that can be learned from the chapter, including the importance of humility, self-control, and obedience to God's law. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Importance of Faithfulness
The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God and obedience to His law. Israel's failure to produce good fruit is a result of their rebellion against God.
The Danger of Moral Relativism
The chapter warns against the danger of moral relativism, where evil is called good and good is called evil. This kind of thinking leads to spiritual confusion and moral decay.
The Certainty of God's Judgment
The chapter announces the certainty of God's judgment on Israel, which will be carried out by a powerful and distant nation. This emphasizes the importance of taking God's warnings seriously and repenting of sin.