Sin Exposed, 4of5

~ Sinfulness in Chapter 5 of the Book of Isaiah ~

Irresponsible Luxury  ~  “Moreover the Lord says: ‘Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with outstretched necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, making a jingling with their feet, therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will uncover their secret parts.’  In that day the Lord will take away the finery: the jingling anklets, the scarves, and the crescents; the pendants, the bracelets, and the veils; the headdresses, the leg ornaments, and the headbands; the perfume boxes, the charms, and the rings; the nose jewels, the festal apparel, and the mantles; the outer garments, the purses, and the mirrors; the fine linen, the turbans, and the robes.  And so it shall be: instead of a sweet smell there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-set hair, baldness; instead of a rich robe, a girding of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.  Your men shall fall by the sword, and your mighty in the war.  Her gates shall lament and mourn, and she being desolate shall sit on the ground.  And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, ‘We will eat our own food and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by your name, to take away our reproach’” (3:16-4:1).  “Woe to those who join house to house; they add field to field, till there is no place where they may dwell alone in the midst of the land!  In my hearing the Lord of hosts said, ‘Truly, many houses shall be desolate, great and beautiful ones, without inhabitant’” (5:8-9). 

Drunkenness  ~  “Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may follow intoxicating drink; who continue until night, till wine inflames them!  The harp and the strings, the tambourine and flute, and wine are in their feasts; but they do not regard the work of the Lord, nor consider the operation of His hands” (5:11-12).  “Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink” (5:22).

Also note what the prophet Isaiah says later in his book: “­Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower which is at the head of the verdant valleys, to those who are overcome with wine!  Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one, like a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, like a flood of mighty waters overflowing, who will bring them down to the earth with His hand.  The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, will be trampled underfoot; and the glorious beauty is a fading flower which is at the head of the verdant valley, like the first fruit before the summer, which an observer sees; he eats it up while it is still in his hand” (28:1-4).

Confusing Good with Evil  ~  “Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as if 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 near and come, that we may know it.’  Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away justice from the righteous man!” (5:18-23). 

Rejection of God’s Law  ~  “Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom will ascend like dust; because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.  Therefore the anger of the Lord is aroused against His people; He has stretched out His hand against them and stricken them, and the hills trembled.  Their carcasses were as refuse in the midst of the streets.  For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still” (5:24-25).  

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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