Notes on Isaiah's woes before the Vision of the Highest Holiness!
(Reformation Study Bible, extract)
18 Woe to those who draw iniquity with
... falsehood,
who draw sin as with cart ropes,
19 who say: Let him be quick,
let him speed his work
that we may see it;
let the counsel of the Holy One of
Israel draw near,
and let it come, that we may
know it!”
20 Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
5:18 The third woe condemns those who mock God as they sin.
5:19 the Holy One of Israel. See 1:4 note.
5:20 The fourth woe condemns moral corruption.
darkness . . . light. See notes 2:5 and 5:30.
5:21 The 5fth woe condemns pride and self-righteousness.
wise in their own eyes. This is an expression for irrational, arrogant
autonomy. A revelation from God, who alone knows all things, is the only
...foundation for knowledge.
5:22 The sixth woe condemns those who pervert justice.
mixing strong drink. This refers to wine and beer with spices added.
Once again, as in 5:11, Isaiah speaks of overindulgence.
5:23 bribe. See note 1:23. Bribery involves injustice and greed, as in 5:8.
5:24 ...See note on “burning” at 4:4.
5:25 the mountains quaked. At the revelation of God’s anger, nature
quakes (2:19; 13:13; 24:18, 19; Ezek. 32:6–8 note). For a contrasting image
of redemption, see 54:10.
streets. See note 24:11.
his anger has not turned away. God is not reconciled, and His wrath
hangs over the disobedient (9:12, 17, 21; 10:4; 31:3).
5:26–30 This description of the Assyrian army closely matches its portrayal
on ancient Assyrian reliefs; perhaps the poet had seen such troops
with his own eyes.
5:26 signal. This is a signal ... (11:10, 12; 18:3; 49:22; 62:10). Like a commander
in battle, the Lord summons the nations to execute His judgment
(10:5).
nations far away. These would be Syria, Assyria, Babylon, etc. The imperial
Assyrian army was composed of mercenaries hired from all over the
Assyrian Empire.
5:30 on that day. See note 2:11.
darkness. This metaphor for depression, alienation, and judgment (8:22;
42:7; 47:5; 60:2) teaches that all who twist justice by living in darkness
(5:20; 29:15) will ... By contrast, the
light of God will dawn on the needy (9:2; 29:18; 42:7; 49:9; 58:10; 60:1, 2).
The Lord is sovereign over darkness and light (45:7).
distress. The Hebrew word means “sorrow,” “narrowness.” God delivers
His own from ... (25:4; 63:9).
