Isaiah 5-7

Isaiah 5

Isaiah tells a song about a vineyard that was carefully prepared

• The owner did everything right:
  • Fertile land
  • Protection
  • Careful planting
• Instead of good grapes, it produces bad fruit

What’s happening

• The vineyard represents Israel/Judah
• God expected justice and righteousness
• He got violence and oppression instead

Verse 7: “He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed;
for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!”

In Hebrew, Isaiah uses almost-identical sounding words:

• מִשְׁפָּט (mishpāṭ) justice
• מִשְׂפָּח (mispāḥ) bloodshed / oppression
• צְדָקָה (tsĕdāqāh) righteousness
• צְעָקָה (tsĕʿāqāh) cry (of distress)
  So…He looked for mishpat, but behold mispat; for tsedaqua, but behold tseaqua.”

Six “Woes” Against Judah

Isaiah lists specific sins showing what the bad fruit looks like.

1. Greed
   • People take land and push others out
2.  Drunkenness and Self-Indulgence
   • Life revolves around pleasure
3.  Mocking God
   • People dare God to act
   • They don’t believe judgment is real
4. Moral Confusion
   • Good is called evil
   • Evil is called good
5. Pride
   • People trust their own wisdom
   • They refuse correction
6.  Corrupt Leadership
   • Justice is sold
   • The guilty go free if they have influence

God explains what will happen next:

• The nation will be invaded
• Destruction will be unstoppable

Isaiah 6

Isaiah sees the Lord in the temple.  This happens the year King Uzziah (also known as Azariah) dies. His death marked political instability, as Uzziah was generally a good king. 

Seraphim declare God is “holy, holy, holy” while the temple shakes and smoke fills the space. This is only place in Bible where they are named. Some people claim they are the same as Cherubim while some say they are not. 

Category	Seraphim	Cherubim
Meaning of name	From Hebrew שָׂרַף (śāraph)  “to burn” or “burning ones”	No clear Hebrew root. Maybe associated with guardianship
Main passages	Isaiah 6	Genesis 3; Exodus 25; 1 Kings 6-8; Ezekiel 1 & 10; Psalms
Focus	God’s holiness, purification	God’s majesty and kingship
Typical actions	Proclaim “Holy, holy, holy”; cleanse Isaiah with a burning coal	Guard Eden; overshadow the ark; carry God’s throne
Speech	They speak and proclaim	No recorded speech
Imagery	Six wings (cover face, cover feet, fly)	Wings; multiple faces (in Ezekiel); powerful movement

Isaiah is overwhelmed. He recognizes his own sin and the sin of his people

A coal from the altar touches his lips and his guilt is removed

God asks who will go. Isaiah volunteers. He is told his message will harden hearts rather than soften them

Judgment will last until the land is empty, yet a “holy seed” remains

Isaiah 7

Judah is threatened by Israel (Ephraim) and Syria. King Ahaz is terrified (around 735 BC)

God tells Isaiah and his son  Shear-Jashub to go to Ahaz. Shear-Jashub means, “A Remnant Shall Return.”

Isaiah tells Ahaz to trust in God. God also invites Ahaz to ask for a sign which Ahaz refuses. 

Welp God gives a sign anyway:

• A child will be born
• His name means “God with us” Immanuel! 
• Before the child matures, the threat will be gone

Immediate meaning

• God will act in Judah’s near future. Both Israel and Syria would be crushed. 

Larger significance

• Jesus!
• God’s presence is the ultimate assurance

Judah will survive, but Assyria will later oppress the land

Questions:

What did Isaiah think about God’s prophesy?

Application:

Isaiah 5 reminds us that God’s judgment is not impulsive or unfair. He has all given us plenty of chances and free will. Isaiah 6 shifts the focus from the nation to the messenger. Isaiah’s obedience flows from his repentance. Isaiah 7 shows us how our fear can drive us toward solutions that feel practical but quietly exclude God.