Isaiah's tribute to God

ISAIAH CHAPTER 5

The first 7 verses of this chapter are a song that Isaiah sang for the one he loved about his vineyard. It is a lovely tribute to his God and I hope you take the time to read it.

Isaiah then talked about Judah's guilt and the destruction that was certain for those who bought up property so others had no place to live. The Lord sealed their fate. Isaiah heard the Lord himself, say that many beautiful homes would stand deserted and the owners dead and gone.

Destruction is also predicted for those who get up early to begin long drinking bouts that last into the night. His people would be sent into exile far away because they did not know the Lord and the common people would die of thirst. Jerusalem would be swallowed up and the arrogant brought down to dust. The holiness of God would be displayed by his righteousness. Destruction would also be certain for those who tie their sins in falsehood. Those who say evil is good and good is evil. And those who think they are wise and clever. Those who are heroes when drinking and those who boast about their drinking, and those who take bribes.

They will all disappear like burning straw. Their roots will rot because they rejected the law of the Lord almighty. He will send a signal to the nations far away and they will come racing to Jerusalem. They will pounce on their prey and carry them off into captivity. A cloud of darkness and sorrow will hover over Israel and the clouds will blot out the light.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: In verses 8-25 God condemns six sins: 1. exploiting of others, 2. drunkenness 3. taking pride in sin, 4. confusing moral standards, 5. being conceited. 6. perverting justice.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? In the days of Isaiah, people spent many hours drinking and partying. He predicted many would die of hunger and thirst if they did not have God's blessing. In today's world, if we leave God out of our life, our sins may destroy us too. God wants us to enjoy life, but to avoid activities that could lead us away from God.

In the verses that speak about the heroes suffering the same humiliation as the commoners, it reminds us that our heroes today are media and sports heroes and are idolized because of their abilities. Are your heroes those who defy God or those who defy the world in order to serve God? Think about this!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Pray for Gabe.
Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother who faces another round of chemotherapy and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother-in-law is being taken to Oklahoma to live with an aunt who will care for her.
Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.
Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer and for her sister Wanda’s soul which went to heaven.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who is undergoing chemo for his prostate cancer. Update on Robert: he has one more treatment and then three months of waiting for his psat test to come back clean.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and for the doctors who have difficulty diagnosing his other symptoms.
Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.
Pray for another friend named Carolyn whose faith remains strong, but is lost and confused about where and how to spend her elder years.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.