Reading Isaiah 5, I don't think it's coincidental how many of these things would apply to our country today.
It's a picture of a choice planted vineyard - God has given His church every great advantage, especially in offering His son Jesus so that the church, God's people, may be redeemed and saved.
Yet...
"woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine. They have harps and lyres at their banquets, tambourines and flutes and wine, but they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord, no respect for the work of his hands." (5:11-12)
How often do we invest our time in personal entertainment and pleasure rather than focusing our attention on the deeds of the Lord?
"woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit, and wickedness as with cart ropes, to those who say, "Let God hurry, let him hasten his work so we may see it. Let it approach, let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come, so we may know it." (5:18-19)
How often do we mellow in casual sin, that we don't think is that bad, while on the other hand we are impatient at seeing God's kingdom worked out here on earth, and want to see it happen on our own terms?
"woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight" (5:21)
Why do we always know everything and so often lack the humbleness to listen?
I like verse 5:25 quite a bit:
"Therefore the Lord's anger burns against His people; His hand is raised and he strikes them down. The mountains shake, and the dead bodies are like refuse in the streets. Yet for all this, His anger is not turned away, His hand is still upraised."
I like it that God's perseverance and love for His people is greater than our stubborness and refusal to seek His way. No matter how much we are obstinate and fight to make life our way and our own terms, God stands strong throughout the test of time, drawing hearts to Him one way or another.
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