Isaiah 5-8

Things are out of control on this small island where I live. This beautiful island, with sprawling live oak trees hundreds of years old, lush ferns, and palms, is being overtaken by bulldozers, hammers, and nails. Evidently the building codes have been lax for years, so contractors are coming in droves to quickly clear the land for new houses and condo complexes which are taxing the island’s infrastructure. The result is the overpopulating of this once quiet community.

The builders show no regard for the island as they cram new buildings into every inch, hoping to line their pockets at the expense of residents. So when I read Isaiah 5:8-9, I thought about what is happening here. It seems even God is saying, “Enough!” He tells Isaiah that buildings lie empty for lack of occupants. That really is my fear for this lovely island.

But I know God wasn’t talking about builders in 2016. His warnings go much deeper. There are more “woes” in this chapter. He is not only warning greedy people. He is warning drunkards, liars, those who call good evil and evil good, those who are wise in their own sight, those who justify wickedness, and take away the rights of those who stand for the truth.

And God is not talking to non-believers here in Isaiah. These woes are directed toward His people. (vs 25)

I am reminded that, although God has given us the responsibility to care for His creation, He is more concerned with our hearts’ condition than the number of driveways on an island. I am reminded that the world’s condition isn’t corrupt because evil people are in charge.

As long as there are drunkards, greedy people, liars, those who proclaim good as evil and evil as good, and call themselves Christians, our world will continue its downward spiral. It is the Church, God’s people, who have the responsibility to listen to and obey God. Woe to us who play church, yet deny God in our day to day lives.