21. Despise Not the Word (2)

Posted on Posted in Sermon Notes, Devotions Tagged with , , , ,

Hymns: RHC 328 How Firm a Foundation 329 We Have an Anchor 330 How Firm A Foundation, Ye Saints

Isaiah 5:24-30

24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. 25 Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. 26 And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly: 27 None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken: 28 Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses’ hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind: 29 Their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe, and none shall deliver it. 30 And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof. (Isa. 5:24-30 KJV)

Despise Not the Word (2)

OUTLINE

(1) The Rottenness (v24)

(2) Kindling of God’s Anger (v25-30)

INTRODUCTION

This is the movement of the passage in our text in chapter 5 culminating in the final judgment, the judgment of abandonment. [1] Israel abandoned the LORD and she herself will therefore be abandoned to the most severe judgments, and these will culminate in the coming of an enemy from afar (v24-30), the announcement of the punishment to be meted out for the sins mentioned. These sins, we will learn, are equivalent to a rejection of the LORD of hosts. [Edward J. Young] 

The sins exposed:

(1) Materialism (v8-10)

(2) Merry Making and Intoxication (v11-17)

(3) Daring or Defying God (v18-19)

(4) Deceiving Blatantly (v20)

(5) Self-Conceit – Pride (v21)

(6) Dereliction of Duty – Drunkenness (v22)

Even the description of the punishment, instead of being added directly to that of the sin, as in v9 and v14, is postponed until the end of the catalogue of sins is closed, and then subjoined in a general form in v24.

(1) The Rottenness (v24)

24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

When Israel despised the LORD and His Word, they were as rottenness, like a consuming flame, and a thoroughly rotten tree where even the stump is rotten, doomed for destruction!

Israel cast away the law or the instruction of the LORD. They would not listen anymore! So, the LORD gave them over.

When they cast away the laws of God, they are left with no wisdom except their own folly! 

Here is the described “the law of the LORD of Hosts”. It speaks of the LORD as an army fighting the battles with overcoming and overwhelming strength. Now this strength is turned against them because they went against God’s Word by rejecting or casting away the law or instruction of the LORD.

“Despised”, it means “to spurn”, that is “to scorn”. Other words, “contemn”, “abhor”. 

It is in the intensive Piel stem and in the Perfect Tense, describing a completed action. So determined and set are they in their rebellion!

(2) Kindling of God’s Anger (v25-30)

25 Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

The thought is that despite all that has occurred, God’s anger is still not turned away. Stroke after stroke has fallen; Israel remains unrepentant, and God’s anger is still directed against His people.

This anger is like a fire which has kindled and so will burn towrd His people. By His hand God accomplished His purposes, and that hand is still at work. In judgment He had smitten them, possibly through famine, pestilence, earthquake and war. And when God performs the judgment, even nature is affected.

Isaiah 13:13 (KJV) Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

Matthew Henry said pointedly “The judgments described, which these sins would bring upon them. Let not those expect to live easily who live thus wickedly; for the righteous God will take vengeance (v24-30).” 

How complete this ruin will be, and how necessarily and unavoidably it will follow upon their sins.

He had compared this people to a vine (v7), well fixed, and which, it was hoped, would be flourishing and fruitful; but the grace of God towards it was received in vain, and then the root became rottenness, being dried up from beneath, and the blossom would of course blow off as dust, as a light and worthless thing (Job 18:16).

Isaiah 5:7 (KJV) For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry. 

Job 18:16 (KJV) His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off. 

Sin weakens the strength, the root, of a people, so that they are easily rooted up; it defaces the beauty, the blossoms, of a people, and takes away the hopes of fruit. The sin of unfruitfulness is punished with the plague of unfruitfulness. Sinners make themselves as stubble and chaff, combustible matter, proper fuel to the fire of God’s wrath, which then of course devours and consumes them, as the fire devours the stubble, and nobody can hinder it, or cares to hinder it. Chaff is consumed, unhelped and unpitied. [Matthew Henry]

How just the ruin will be: Because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and would not have him to reign over them; and, as the law of Moses was rejected and thrown off, so the word of the Holy One of Israel by his servants the prophets, putting them in mind of his law and calling them to obedience, was despised and disregarded. God does not reject men for every transgression of his law and word; but, when his word is despised and his law cast away, what can they expect but that God should utterly abandon them? [Matthew Henry]

We are reminded the words of Moses in the Book of Deuteronomy:

  • Keep and Live (Deut. 6:1-2)

1 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: 2 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

Moses reiterated God’s promises of long life, prolonging of the days for those who keep God’s commandments. There are two elements here. The fear of the LORD, the spiritual attitude and demeanour to walk with God, and the courage and strength to do His will.

This same principle is taught by James in the New Testament.

James 1:22-25 (KJV) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

We are to keep the Word of God in our hearts, and apply it to our lives.

Moses carefully endeavoured to fix them for God and godliness, now that they were entering upon the land of Canaan, that they might be prepared for the comforts of that land, and fortified against the snares of it, and now that they were setting out in the world might set out well. 

That the fear of God in the heart will be the most powerful principle of obedience: That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes (v2). 

The entail of religion in a family, or country, is the best entail: it is highly desirable that not we only, but our children, and our children’s children, may fear the Lord. 

Religion and righteousness advance and secure the prosperity of any people. Fear God, and it shall be well with thee. Those that are well taught, if they do what they are taught, shall be well fed too, as Israel in the land flowing with milk and honey (v3). [OT Spence]

  • Observe and Increase (Deut. 6:3)

3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. 

The promise of God is that Israel will prosper in the Promised Land with the blessing of God as they walk with Him. There will be challenging persecutions, but God will be with His people to deliver them through it all.

Alas, over the centuries, Israel lost her way!

25 Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

The wrath of the LORD when it comes, the hills tremble, the carcases of the dead, torn, lies in desolation in the midst of the streets. A frightening sight of death and ruin!

The death upon the first born of Pharaoh and his kingdom, men and beasts, was devastating whilst in the Israelite came not even a dog to move his tongue!

Exodus 11:6-7 (KJV) And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more. But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.

Here we see the LORD made a difference for the sake of His own people!

But in our text, we see the LORD Himself raining the judgment reserved upon the enemy on His own people who have gone amok!

It is not surprising, for the LORD himself spoke of His judgment if Israel will stray away and sin against Him.

Deuteronomy 28:14-20 (KJV) And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou bein the field. Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store. Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou bewhen thou goest out. The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.

26 And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:

With the carcases scattered in the streets, His wrath is still unabated. The people are still unrepentant despite the destruction. A fiercer judgment awaits.

The display of the “natural’ force (v25), an earthquake at the Lord’s disposal brackets a description of yet another force He commands (v26-29), the irresistible invader, and the lion and storm in v29-30. Like the long “therefore” in v14-17, God acts in total judgment. [J. Alec Motyer]

Isaiah 5:14-17 (KJV) Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled: But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness. Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.

The enemy in v26 approaches as being invited by the LORD, represented here by the prophet with two figures – the ensign (signal-pole or flag) and that of a hiss or whistle, representing the approaching judgment, as the invasion and ultimate subjection of the country by a formidable enemy (v26-30). 

God is sovereign over the whole world (distant nations…ends of the earth) so that He only needs to raise His banner and whistle for even the nations to come swiftly and speedily without question.

27 None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken: 28 Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses’ hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:

In v27-28 the power of this sovereign God is appreciated by observing the power of the nations at His command: progress is unimpeded by either natural failure (tired, stumbles, slumbles, sleeps) or enforced delay (loosened, broken). Their equipment is effective (sharp) and at the ready (strung); like flint, it is not subject to wear and is capable of great speed (whirlwind). [J. Alec Motyer]

29 Their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe, and none shall deliver it. 30 And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.

These verses present a double picture of helplessness: the prey before the lion (v29) and the storm-bound sailor with shelter on neither sea nor land (v30). “Roar” denotes the “pouncing roar of the lion” (Judges 14:5), designed to paralyse with terror.

Judges 14:5 (KJV) Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him.

The long lions are not cubs but lions in their prime strength. Their growl is the satisfied growl when prey is captured and is being enjoyed. The message of the lion-picture is that “no-one can help”. The animal roar because the roaring storm. The despairing sailor looks from the threatening sea to the land but finds no comfort, only further darkness and distress and light fast disappearing as the clouds gather. The land of Judah is covered; the light has gone; the darkness reigns, black and still and heavy. [Young]

CONCLUSION

Thus ends his preface. The message of the first two sections (1:2-31; 2:1-4:6) is that human sin cannot ultimately frustrate God’s purposes and that, in God, mercy triumphs over wrath. But the third section (5:1-30) poses a shattering question: When the Lord has done all (5:4), must the darkness of divine wrath close in and the light flicker and fade? This was the day of crisis in which Isaiah ministered: a crisis for humankind, for the day of wrath has come and a crisis for God: can mercy be exhausted and defeated? [J. Alex Motyer]

[1] The parable sets forth the peculiar privileges, obligations, guilt, and doom of Israel, under the figure of a highly favoured vineyard, which, instead of good fruit, brings forth only wild grapes, and is therefore given up to desolation (v1-6). The application is expressly made by the Prophet himself (v7).

In the remaining of the chapter, he enumerates the sins which were included in the general expressions of v7, and describes their punishment. In do this, he first gives a catalog of sins with their appropriate punishments annexed (v8-24). He then describes the means used to inflict them, and the final issue (v25-30).

The catalogue of sins and judgments comprehends two series of woes or denunciations. In the first, each sin is followed by its punishment (v8-17). In the second the sins follow one another in uninterrupted succession, and the punishment is reserved until the close (v18-24).

In the former series, the first woe is uttered against avaricious and ambitious grasping after lands and houses, to be punished by sterility and desolation (v8-10). The second woe is uttered against drunkenness, untimely mirth, and disregard of providential warnings, appropriately punished by captivity, hunger, thirst, and general mortality (v11-14). To these two woes are added a general declaration of their purpose and effect, to humble man and exalt God, and a repeated threatening of general desolation as a punishment of both the sins just mentioned (v15-17). 

The sin denounced in the second series of woes are presumptuous and incredulous defiance of God’s judgments, the deliberate confounding of moral distinctions, undue reliance upon human wisdom, and drunkenness (v18-23). To these, he adds a general threat of destruction as a necessary consequence of their forsaking God (v24).

In declaring the means used to effect the condign retribution, the Prophet sets before us two distinct stages or degrees of punishment. The first, which is briefly and figuratively represented as a violent and destructive stroke of God’s hand, is described in the shape of an invading enemy, before whom, after a brief fluctuation, Israel disappears in total darkness (v26-30). 

Everything was carried by clamour and noise, and not by equity and according to the merits of the cause. It is sad with a people when wickedness has usurped the place of judgment (Ecc. 3:16). It is very sad with a soul when instead of the grapes of humility, meekness, patience, love, and contempt of the world, which God looks for, there are the wild grapes of pride, passion, discontent, malice, and contempt of God – instead of the grapes of praying and praising, the wild grapes of cursing and swearing, which are a great offence to God. Some of the ancients apply this to the Jews in Christ’s time, among whom God looked for righteousness (that is, that they should receive and embrace Christ), but behold a cry, that cry, Crucify him, crucify him. [Matthew Henry]