Rev. Don Campbell
Isaiah 5-8
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, July 10, 2019
“A NATION IN DECLINE”
Isaiah, as noted yesterday, prophesied to a nation in decline. The sins which Isaiah rebuked were not unique, but common to every nation. There are six woes in chapter five to which we should give heed.
“WOE to those who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is no more room, and you are made to dwell alone in the midst of the land” (v.8). God is not opposed to prosperity, for he has given us all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). “More” is the keyword. The haves were not satisfied with what they had, but was addicted, as are many today to “more.” Things had not changed in the days of James: “You have lived on the earth in luxury and self-indulgence” (5:5).
“WOE to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening as wine inflames them!” (v.11). According to the website of Talbott Recovery: Alcohol-impaired driving accounts for more than 30 percent of all driving fatalities each year. More than 15 million people struggle with an alcohol-use disorder in the United States, but less than eight percent of those receive treatment. More than 65 million Americans report binge drinking in the past month, which is more than 40 percent of the total of current alcohol users. Teen alcohol use kills 4,700 people each year. That’s more than all illegal drugs combined. Drunk driving costs the United States more than $199 billion every year.”
“WOE to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood, who draw sin as with cart ropes, who say: “Let him be quick, let him speed his work that we may see it; let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near, and let it come, that we may know it!” (VV.18-19). “The Message” renders this passage in this way: “Doom to you who use lies to sell evil, who haul sin to market by the truckload, who say, “What’s God waiting for? Let him get a move on so we can see it. Whatever The Holy of Israel has cooked up, we’d like to check it out.”
“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!” (V.20). We live in an age in which the only sin is believing that there is such a thing as sin.
“WOE to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!” (v.21). Jeremiah also addresses this sin: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
“WOE to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of his right!” (Isaiah 5:22-23). Isaiah had already pronounced a woe on those who rise early and state up late drinking, so why does he pronounce a second woe? Possibly because it is such a pernicious evil. But here he connects alcohol and with the corruption of justice.
We have known for years that alcohol affects the executive cognitive functioning of the brain. This takes place long before one reaches legal blood-alcohol limits. Here’s what it means for us: “Executive cognitive functioning (ECF) encompasses a number of ‘higher order’ cognitive abilities, such as attention, abstract reasoning, organization, mental flexibility, planning, self-monitoring, and the ability to use external feedback to moderate personal behavior” (WTOP [Washington’s Top News], 12,5/17).
Connect this with the fact that Washington, DC ranks #1 for heavy drinkers and we have a perfect storm situation for bad decisions, decisions which affect not only the nation but the world. Many in government are carrying out their duties while mentally impaired.
CONNECTIONS
1. Of the six woes, is there one that stands out in your mind as the greatest threat to the church today? Is there one that stands out as the least threat to the church today?
2. John the baptizer came preaching “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Paul quoted Isaiah 6:9-10 applying it to the unbelieving Jews and then saying, “Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen” (Acts 28:28). Do you believe that the majority of Americans have reached this point of no return?
