The Prophet and His Day: Isaiah 1-39 - Free Bible Commentary

6I will lay it waste;It will not be pruned or hoed,But briars and thorns will come up.I will also charge the clouds to rain no rain on it."5:3 The prophet is bringing his audience into a decision-making process. This is the point of the genreof parable. They will judge themselves!The VERB “judge” (BDB 1047, KB 1622) is a Qal IMPERATIVE and is similar to Matt. 21:40.5:4 This question is the heart of the parable song. God did everything for His people, but they rejectedHim.5:5-6 The prophet, speaking for YHWH, declares (BDB 393, KB 390, Hiphil COHORTATIVE) what Hewill do to His disappointing vineyard (i.e., Judah).1. remove its hedge, consequently it will be consumed by animals2. break down it’s protective wall, consequently the vines will be trampled to the ground3. refuse to tend it, consequently the briars and thorns will come up (cf. 7:23,25; 9:18; 27:4)4. refuse to send rain, consequently it will dry up and die (cf. Deut. 28:23-24)5:6 “I will lay it waste” The VERB (BDB 1011, KB 1483) is a Qal IMPERFECT. YHWH will make Hisvineyard a “waste” (BDB 144). The term is found only here. It can mean “end” or “destruction.” Thejudgment of YHWH is total and final (cf. v. 30)! Thank God for chapters 7-12! There will be a newday (chapters 40-55) and a new heaven and earth (chapters 56-66).} “I will also charge the clouds to rain no rain on it” Nature has been, and continues to be, affectedby mankind’s sin (cf. Gen. 3:17-19 and Rom. 8:19-26). It is used by God for blessing or judgment (i.e.,Lev. 26:4; Deut. 11:14; 28:12; Amos 4:7; Zech. 14:17).NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 5:77For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of IsraelAnd the men of Judah His delightful plant.Thus He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed;For righteousness, but behold, a cry of distress.5:7 “the house of Israel” This term normally seems to refer to all of the Jewish people collectivelybefore the political split in 922 B.C., although in this verse the term refers to Judah. At this time in thehistory of the people of God, their nation was split into the northern ten tribes known as Israel, Ephraim,or Samaria and the southern three tribes known as Judah, which included Benjamin, Simeon, and mostof the Levites/priests.} “justice. . .bloodshed. . .righteousness. . .a cry of distress” This is a play on two different sounds inHebrew that cannot be reproduced in an English translation: )5:/, Mishpat (justice) vs. (5–/,Mispach (bloodshed, BDB 705) and 8$7, Zedakah (righteousness) vs. 837, Zeakah (cry of distress).Another biblical reversal of expectations.73