1. Similarities
between Israel and Judah in the eighth century B.C. and our nation today.
a) In
their material prosperity Israel and Judah forgot God and fell into corruption
and decay. They eventually credited their prosperity to their many false gods.
b) Resulted
in rampant political corruption, social decay, and moral deprivation.
2. The
above scenario eventually brought about God’s judgment upon the nation.
Isaiah 5:8-23 contains six woes, or warnings.
I. Covetous
– 5:8-10.
A. Sin
of greedy land owners.
1. Their
sin was not that of ambition, but of selfish ambition.
2. Wealthy
landowners would buy up or otherwise acquire land that belonged to those who
were less fortunate. Original landowners were eventually crowded out.
3. Isaiah
revealed what was to come. Houses would be desolate, vacant. Land would be
unproductive. Consider Leviticus 26:20, Deuteronomy 28:16-19.
B. We
have been warned of the sin of covetousness.
1. Consider
Jesus’ response when he was asked to become involved in a dispute between
and man and his brother over their inheritance – Luke 12:15.
2. As
Christians, we ought not ever possess a desire for worldly goods cause us to
take advantage of others – Proverbs 22:16.
3. No
covetous person (idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of God –
Ephesians 5:5.
II. Carnal
– 5:11-17.
A. Alcohol
mentioned as specific example.
1. Alcohol
promises pleasure to those who partake, but delivers anything but pleasure –
Proverbs 23:29-32.
2. "Woe
unto him that giveth his neighbor drink…" – Habakkuk 2:15.
3. But
there can be hope for those involved – I Corinthians 6:9-11 (notice the past
tense).
B. Lessons
taught by Isaiah can be applied to all those today who possess an overwhelming
desire to satisfy their lusts.
1. Our
bodies, being the temple of God, are not to be defiled but rather are to bring
glory to God – I Corinthians 6:19-20.
2. Those
persons who are guilty of the works of the flesh shall not inherit the kingdom
of God – Galatians 5:19-21.
III. Captive
to sin – 5:18-19.
A. Isaiah
wrote concerning those whose sins were so numerous that their sins had to be
placed in a cart and pulled by a rope. These people would eventually be bound
by the very rope they used to pull the cart.
1. Solomon
wrote concerning those who become entangled in their sin – Proverbs 5:22-23.
2. Persons
who are indifferent to their sin eventually fall under the power of their sin
– I Corinthians 6:12.
B. People
in Isaiah’s time made a mockery of God’s judgment.
1. Their
rebellious attitude toward God was even worse than the entanglement of their
sin.
2. When
Isaiah warned them of God’s judgment they responded, "Let him make
speed and hasten his work."
IV. Confuse
morals – 5:20.
A. People
called good evil and evil good, meaning they said of evil, "it is
good." Same condition exists in our own society. Consider Proverbs 17:15.
1. Society
calls abortion a woman’s choice, the Bible calls it murder.
2. Society
calls homosexuality an alternate lifestyle, but the Bible calls it an
abomination – Leviticus 20:13.
3. Atheism
is called a part of "modern science," Bible calls it foolish –
Psalm 14.1
B. It
is possible the reasons for their failure to recognize sin for what was may
have been many of the same reasons people today fail to recognize sin for what
it is.
1. Fear
of offending others.
2. Justify
ourselves.
3. Ignorance.
4. To
make others feel good rather than guilty.
5. Make
ourselves feel comfortable about those whom we care about.
V. Conceive
their own standards – 5:21.
A. First
sin was brought about by desire for own standard of right and wrong.
1. Eve
ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil when Satan told her that if she
ate she would be as gods, knowing good and evil – Genesis 3:5.
2. Her
sin, along with Adam’s, had fatal consequences – Genesis 3:1-5, 22-24.
B. Many
today deny the word of God and attempt to develop their own standards.
1. God
expects men to discern between good and evil – Hebrews 5:14.
2. God
expects us to hate evil and choose that which is good – Romans 12:9.
VI. Corrupt
justice – 5:23.
A. Officials
who were unable to execute justice fairly.
1. Justified
the actions of the wicked
2. Dishonored
those who were righteous before God.
B. They
were unable to execute justice because they had taken bribes.
1. They
placed a greater value on money than they placed on the truth.
2. We
ought to buy the truth and sell it not – Proverbs 23:23.
