Isaiah 5

18–19 Here God denounces those who openly draw or “pull” sin along with them (verse 18); they care nothing for what God thinks. Indeed, they mock Him; they say, in effect: “Let God hurry up and do something about our sin if He’s going to” (verse 19). They are like the scoffers the Apostle Peter wrote about who thought that God wasn’t going to do anything about the ungodly (2 Peter 3:3–7).

20 Those who scoff at God also scoff at God’s values. They call good evil and darkness . . . light. People who do this have lost all sense of morality; they are depraved. The Jewish leaders in Jesus’ time were similarly guilty of calling good evil; they claimed that Jesus acted by the power of SATAN (Mark 3:22–30).

21 The next sin God denounces is pride; proud people are wise in their own eyes (see Proverbs 3:7). Their “wisdom” is of the world; it is opposed to God’s wisdom (see 1 Corinthians 1:18–30; 3:18–20).

22–25 Here God scoffs at the scoffers; they are heroes in drunkenness; they are perverters of justice (verses 22–23). Therefore, God’s judgment will fall upon them, just as fire burns up dry grass (verse 24). And God’s anger against Judah will continue until all wickedness has been purged from the land (verse 25).

26–30 God will use distant nations—such as Assyria and Babylon—to bring judgment upon His disobedient people; He will lift up a banner for those nations to gather around³¹ (verse 26). Isaiah then goes on to describe the speed and power and ruthlessness of the invading forces that will soon sweep over Judah (verses 27–30).