Isaiah 5

Chap. V. Ver. 1—30. Under the Parable of a Vineyard, God justifies himself, and reproves the Jews.—This chapter opens with a parable of the class called by the Hebrews, ‘** Songs of Love,’ a term nearly corresponding to pastoral, of which we have examples in the 45th Psalm, and in the Songs of Solomon. In the first seven verses, by a beautiful allegory, God represents his care and tenderness towards the house of Israel, and particularly Judah, and the ungrateful returns with which his kindness had been requited. In verse 8 the parable is dropped; and the Prophet, in plain terms, reproves and threatens the nation for their wickedness; particularly for their covetousness, intemperance, and inattention to the warnings of providence.

Then follows an enumeration of God’s judgments as the necessary consequence. Captivity and famine appear, with all their horrors; Hell, (or the grave,) like a ravenous monster, opens wide its jaws, and swallows down its myriads. Distress lays hold on all ranks of people, and one judgment follows another, until the whole land is left desolate; a place for the flocks and herds to range in. The Prophet then goes on to threaten and reprove them; and, finally, sums up the whole of his awful denunciation in a very lofty and spirited conclusion. The God of armies, having hitherto corrected to no purpose, is represented, with inimitable majesty, as only giving the hint, and the heathen nations, like swarms of bees, hasten to his standard; and, upon the first permission, keen, cruel, and resolute, they fly immediately to execute their commission, and leave the land desolate and dark, without one ray of comfort to cheer the gloom.

Their approach is compared to the roaring of lions and of the ocean; and the consequence is universal desolation, darkness, and distress.