GOD JUDGES HIS APOSTATE PEOPLE

Isaiah 5:8-30

key verse: 25

As Jesus says "Woe to you Pharisees. . ." so God says to the people. This is from a divine curse, for life without God is a curse in itself. God is not insignificant; he judges, especially according to the heart's attitude concerning his words. 

1. Six woes (8-23)

Look and you will find six times the word "woe": a) land acquisition founded on selfishness has no meaning, since everything will be destroyed, followed by nation-wide improductivity; b) the debauchery of great men in their festivities (the foolish people will follow their example and live like animals until the invasion by foreigners, v. 17); their pride will be bowed down and only the Lord will be exalted; c) mockery (they will draw a curse because of their evil); d) careless religion based on sophistry; e) pretentiousness; f) foolish drinking.

2. Executioner of divine judgement (24-30)

God's anger burns against these ignoble people. They have rejected his law and despised the words of the Holy One of Israel. This is the fundamental reason for the curse (24b). God raises up Assyria to punish his apostate people. The enemy's strength is awesome. Their soldiers know no rest; their war machine has no equal. They are like wild beasts which devour their prey. The prophet looks over the land and sees the light darkened. There is no hope, except the small consolation that this ennemy is under the control of the Eternal God (26). 

Prayer: Lord, help me to obey your law and refrain from wickedness that you hate.

Bottom line: obey his law and walk in it; then you will be happy.