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Isaiah 5

30 verses

TL;DR

Isaiah 5 is a lament over Israel’s failure to bear fruit, expressed through the parable of a neglected vineyard, and a prophetic warning of judgment and eventual restoration.

Summary

In Isaiah 5 the prophet describes the LORD as a vineyard owner who has tended a fruitful hill, planted the best vines, and built a tower and winepress, yet the vineyard yields only wild grapes. He calls on the people of Jerusalem and Judah to judge between himself and his vineyard, lamenting the lack of fruitful results. The LORD declares he will dismantle the hedge and walls, bring ruin, allow thorns to grow, and deny rain, condemning Israel’s unrighteousness and oppressive practices. He then lists woes against those who oppress, indulge in drunkenness, ignore divine law, and corrupt judgment, while also warning that the righteous will be humbled but the LORD will ultimately be exalted in judgment. The chapter concludes with a vivid depiction of God’s wrath—fire consuming the stubble, bodies torn, and nations brought down—yet hints at divine intervention and future vindication.

Outline
  1. Parable of the neglected vineyard and the LORD’s lament (verses 1‑6)
  2. Condemnation of Israel’s injustice and moral corruption (verses 7‑24)
  3. Prophetic description of judgment and future vindication (verses 25‑30)
Themes
Judgment and accountabilityThe futility of oppression and injusticeHope of divine restoration
Keywords
vineyardwild grapesjudgmentrighteousnessoppressioncaptivityensignfirelightclouds
People
the LORDIsrael
Places
JerusalemJudah
Things
vineyardwild grapeswinepressbriersthornscloudsjudgmentrighteousnessfireensign
Key Verses
  • Isaiah 5:7: The LORD identifies Israel as his vineyard, setting the moral framework for judgment
  • Isaiah 5:16: Affirms the LORD’s ultimate exaltation and the vindication of the righteous
  • Isaiah 5:25: Describes the severity of divine wrath against a nation that has abandoned law and justice
Questions
  • Why does Isaiah choose the image of a vineyard to represent Israel?
  • What does the LORD’s threat to destroy the vineyard’s walls and hedge signify about God’s relationship with Israel?
  • How do the repeated “woe” statements function in the context of prophetic judgment?
  • In what ways does Isaiah 5 reconcile themes of judgment with hope for restoration?
  • What can contemporary readers learn from Isaiah’s lament about moral failure and accountability?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter’s tone is primarily lamenting and judgmental but contains an undercurrent of hope for divine vindication.