Six Woes Upon A Nation

  In Isaiah 5, God instructs the prophet to declares six “woes” (judgments) upon the nation of Israel for their continued rebellion against His precepts: 

  “Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! (5:8)”  This describes wealthy, greedy, materialistic individuals who hoard all of the best to themselves. 

  “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! …but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands. (5:11-12)”  This describes those who live with their minds altered by drugs, and who have a total disregard for God, His Word, and His work. 

  “Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it! (5:18-19)”  This describes those who are bound to sin by their vanity.  They defile the nation, and defy God to judge them.

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (5:20)”  This describes those who live in defiance of God’s moral law, calling good evil, and evil good.  They believe every man is entitled to his own truth.

  “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (5:21)”  This describes conceited men and women who cannot be corrected because they see themselves as all wise.

  “Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! (5:22-23)”  This describes those who, under the influence of alcohol, take bribes to justify the wicked and deny justice to the innocent.

  God has not changed!  America, like Israel of old, has been blessed of God immensely, and yet rebelled.  America, like Israel of old, will be judged.