Isaiah 5:3-7
Summary for Isa 5:3-4: 5:3-4 a Clearly, the Lord had graciously done everything possible for the vineyard. He was not to blame for the bitter grapes.• you judge: Isaiah wanted the audience to condemn the vineyard before he revealed that in fact they were the vineyard (5:7 b). This rhetorical tactic is similar to the one Nathan used to confront David (2 Sam 12:1-5 c).
Summary for Isa 5:5-6: 5:5-6 d The Lord promised to make his vineyard, Israel, a desolate place because it was fit only for destruction. Later, Isaiah prophesied the gracious, glorious transformation of Israel from desolation to fruitful vitality (see 55:13 e).
5:6 f The withholding of rain was at times a divine judgment (Deut 28:23-24 g; Hag 1:11 h; 2:16 i). It was especially devastating to a society that depended heavily on agriculture.
5:7 j The identification of Israel as the vineyard is a surprise that resolves the riddle of this passage.
• Here, a powerful play on Hebrew words indicted Israel. The Lord expected justice (Hebrew mishpat) but saw only oppression (mispakh) of the needy. Instead of righteousness (tsedaqah), there were cries of violence (tse‘aqah) against the poor (see 1:21-23 k).
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