5:1 This chapter is an analogy of God's children and their stewardship of His kingdom of earth.
5:2 God loves us deeply; His plan has continually been to protect us and to provide for us. He made the earth to support us, nourish us and inspire us. The laws and commandments of His kingdom are meant to protect us and guide us into blessing. With attention to the finest detail, He created us... but humanity went rogue.
5:3-6 We are invited to consider our situation: hasn't God loved us well and faithfully? He has given life and free will, He has provided the Holy Spirit to those who will claim it. And then humanity rejected Him with their behavior. Unrighteous behavior has made the earth an almost spiritually-desolate place.
5:7 The analogy explained by Isaiah himself: For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are His pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; for righteousness, but behold, a cry for help.
5:8-10 God warns against over-crowding as it causes emptiness and desolation.
5:11 God warns against alcoholism, of putting substances as the priority of the day.
5:12 He also warns against a party-lifestyle in which a person's commitment to God is made defunct. It is crucial that each individual remain aware of the Lord and the work of His hands; we must reflect on life and the nature of it in order to remain spiritually connected.
5:13-14 To neglect faith is to cause oneself to become unwise, spiritual famished and thirsty. Without their connection to God, Judah walked steadily into depravity. No one upheld justice, no one behaved righteously... and therefore people suffered. Judah became prideful and rambunctious.
5:15-17 God promised to humble them. God always restores justice; He always returns to take care of His righteous flock,. though they may be few; they are few in the midst of a cruel majority and God is indignant on their behalf.
5:15-17 God promised to humble them. God always restores justice; He always returns to take care of His righteous flock,. though they may be few; they are few in the midst of a cruel majority and God is indignant on their behalf.
5:18-19 The evil and cruel and unjust will be forced to face their actions; those who mock God's vengeance against actions they thought they were free to make, must then face it.
5:20 Woe to those who oppress and deceive and harm and justify their actions.
5:21 Woe to those who are stubborn and selfish in their power and wealth.
5:22-23 Woe to those who abuse substances and subsequently harm others. We are called to be sober and vigilant, 1 Peter 5:8, in order to care for God's children and combat evil.
5:24-25 God will thoroughly destroy the evil.
5:26-30 God will return to rescue and strengthen and restore His children. God will bring His judgement to the earth; it will be a beautiful time for the righteous, and a dark time for the wicked.
