_UNDER THE PARABLE OF A VINEYARD, GOD DEFENDETH HIS SEVERE JUDGMENT: HIS JUDGMENTS UPON COVETOUSNESS, UPON LASCIVIOUSNESS, UPON IMPIETY, AND UPON INJUSTICE. THE EXECUTIONERS OF GOD'S JUDGMENTS._ _Before Christ 760._... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WILL I SING TO MY WELL-BELOVED A SONG— The third prophetic discourse is contained in this chapter; which, being partly parabolical, and partly proper, naturally divides itself into two principal parts. The first contains the parable, Isaiah 5:1 the other the explanation of the parable, Isaiah 5:... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE FENCED IT, &C.— The state of the vineyard, with respect to the benefits conferred upon it by God, is described in the latter part of the first, and the former part of this verse; the consequence of that state, the expectation of fruit, and the disappointment of that expectation, are described... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE VINEYARD, &C.— Or, _Now, the vineyard,_ &c. We have in this verse the interpretation of the preceding parable; first, in general, which the history of the Jewish people, especially in the time of our Saviour, and before their destruction by the Romans, fully verifies. The word משׂפח _mispach... [ Continue Reading ]
WOE UNTO THEM THAT JOIN HOUSE TO HOUSE— The unfolding of the parable, after the general key in the preceding verse, comprehends two things, according to the argument of the parable: the crimes of these ungrateful people, and the punishment decreed to their crimes. The first crime condemned is avaric... [ Continue Reading ]
WOE UNTO THEM THAT RISE UP, &C.— Another vice which the prophet reproves in these verses, is luxury or intemperance; whose companion and daughter is Inconsideration of the works of God, whose child also is Ignorance. See the beginning of the 13th verse. _The work of the Lord,_ and _the operation of... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHALL THE LAMBS FEED, &C.— Vitringa is of opinion, that this verse refers to the first disciples of Jesus Christ, who, seeing and deploring the destruction of the Jews, should rest safely under the protection of God; while, according to the next clause, the Gentiles should be brought into the c... [ Continue Reading ]
WOE UNTO THEM THAT DRAW INIQUITY, &C.— The third crime is, the pretence of false and wicked reasonings, by which the profane bring their minds to perpetrate the most abominable crimes against the calls and admonitions of conscience; which is expressed metaphorically in this verse, and literally in t... [ Continue Reading ]
WOE UNTO THEM THAT CALL EVIL GOOD, &C.— The fourth crime alleged is, the subversion of all the principles of truth, and of equity in judgment. A most corrupt condition of a church and state is here described, in which men accustomed to vices begin, with the things themselves, to lose also the true n... [ Continue Reading ]
WOE UNTO THEM THAT ARE WISE IN THEIR OWN EYES, &C.— The fifth crime imputed to the Jews is, an arrogant presumption of the stability of their state, founded in carnal reason, with a contempt of the divine wisdom, and of the faithful admonitions of the ministers of God. See Romans 11:25; Romans 12:16... [ Continue Reading ]
WOE UNTO THEM THAT ARE MIGHTY TO DRINK WINE— This troop of vices is closed by drunkenness, joined with injustice and iniquity in judgment. This crime is distinct from that luxury and intemperance in feasts, which is attended with inconsideration of the works of God; Isaiah 5:11. It is no wonder if m... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE AS THE FIRE DEVOURETH THE STUBBLE— The latter part of the parabolic song which is contained in the 6th verse, here begins to be more fully explained; and to the end of the chapter we have an account of that total destruction of the Jewish polity which should be brought upon it by a people... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE IS THE ANGER OF THE LORD KINDLED, &C.— The meaning is, that God, before the time of that final vengeance concerning which the prophesy treats principally, had afflicted this rebellious people with the most grievous calamities; or rather, would afflict and chastise them: that those calamiti... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE WILL LIFT UP AN ENSIGN— That decree of the divine severity, which had been spoken of in general in Isaiah 5:24 is here explained: particularly God is shewn to be the supreme general or leader of the people which were to come from far to execute his vengeance; they were to assemble at his sett... [ Continue Reading ]
NONE SHALL BE WEARY, &C.— We have in these verses a description of the quality of the forces which should come against Jerusalem; their vigour, activity, and diligence: Isaiah 5:27 their military expedition, readiness, skilfulness, and apparatus; Isaiah 5:28 their fortitude and undaunted courage; Is... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF ONE LOOK UNTO THE LAND— Isaiah here closes this prophesy with a strong and eloquent description of the consequences of this calamity; setting forth, in the most emphatical terms, the utter confusion, blackness, and desperation of the miserable Jews. See chap. Isaiah 8:22. Nothing can more exa... [ Continue Reading ]