It Starts Small

As we continue to read Isaiah 5, the prophet describes a series of “woes.” These are directed upon Judah and Jerusalem. The Hebrew word translated “woe” is very similar to the English sounds such as “ahh!” or “ohh!” It expresses sadness, pain, or grief. What Israel will experience will be traumatic.

Woe 1 Isolation and Arrogance

The first “woe” is to those who buy up their neighbor’s fields and houses to isolate themselves. They separate from their community in beautiful mansions on great tracks of land. The Lord reveals what will happen to those who isolate themselves. This isolation assumes a form of arrogance and greed which goes beyond simply having a comfortable home. The Lord will bring drought or blight. This will destroy their wealth. It will leave those beautiful houses desolate and empty.

Woe 2 Drunkards

The next “woe” is directed to those who drink alcohol from early in the morning until late at night. The scriptures implies those who are dependent on alcohol or addicted to it. They gather for feasts with live music and drinking. They are too preoccupied to pay attention to the Lord. They do not notice the works He is doing.

The Lord speaks judgment upon these people. Because of these things, God’s people will go into exile because they do not know Him. Those who have grown in wealth through greed will go hungry. Those who have made drinking alcohol the point of their lives will go thirsty. Sheol—death, in this context—has opened its mouth to consume the nobility and party people of Jerusalem.

In that moment, those formerly arrogant people will have no choice but to become humble. The Lord will be exalted for restoring justice. He will show Himself holy by ending the sinfulness of His people.

Woe 3 Intentionally Sinning

The passage continues with a “woe” to those who intentionally sin. They carry the sin around in full knowledge it is against God’s wishes. This is vastly different than those who struggle against sin but fail. These persons are purposefully sneering in God’s face: daring Him to react because they don’t believe He will. They mock the Lord in disbelief by saying, in essence, “Let God’s judgment come quickly! We want to see it. Let Him come here and smite me!”

Woe 4 Conceited

The final “woes” are to those who believe their own wisdom above all else. The passage includes a famous condemnation of inverting good and evil, calling one the other. Isaiah also scolds those who are experts at drinking. They take bribes and deprive the innocent of the right to justice. This is due to their greed and hedonism.

The Lord’s judgment will be efficient and tireless. Much of the phrasing in this passage is symbolic of God’s power. It is not necessarily about a literal series of disasters. He will strike His people with fury as unstoppable as an earthquake. Then He will summon the armies of the nations with a whistle. The armies will come running toward Jerusalem well-equipped. The Lord will judge His people.

What is bringing “woe” and exile to the people?

What have they done?

Do we have sour grapes in our hearts? Take time today to reflect upon the fruit of the Spirit and the sour grapes. Where do we need the Lord’s pruning in our hearts?

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