Isaiah 5

In this chapter, God uses the metaphor of a vineyard to talk about Israel and Judah. He says He "cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit" (Is. 5:2). His people ignored Him. Therefore, "the great houses will become desolate, the fine mansions left without occupants. A ten-acre vineyard will produce only a bath of wine, a homer of seed only an ephah of grain" (Is. 5:9-10). It is easy to draw comparisons between these descriptions of the lifestyles of Israel in that time and our comfortable and often luxurious lifestyles of today.

Among God's warnings, He warns those "who say, 'Let God hurry, let him hasten his work so we may see it. Let it approach, let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come, so we may know it'" (Is. 5:19). I find this interesting because the message itself isn't so bad. But the juxtaposition of it with their attitudes of apathy and rebellion toward God is the problem. They wanted to see the works of God in their lives, but they didn't want to have to submit to God's direction and authority. Again, we must ask for pure hearts, so that we are an honor to God.

May your hearts and minds be focused on Him.