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ISAIAH.
#3.
Rebellion, ruin, and restoration (1:-5:).
pp. 130 - 137
In order to cover the ground fairly rapidly and in such a way that the salient points
may be perceived, we propose to devote three articles to the section covering Isa. 1:-12:,
and to apportion the subject-matter as follows:
(1) Isa. 1:-5:
(2) Isa. 6:
(3) Isa. 7:-12:
We therefore turn our attention in the present article to the first five chapters of this
prophecy, and endeavour to obtain a comprehensive view of its teaching. We note first,
in chapter 1:, that, on account of her ingratitude and rebellion, Israel is described as "the
daughter of Zion, left as a booth in a vineyard". In chapter 5:, the "vineyard of the Lord
of Hosts" is said to be Israel, and because of the utter failure of this vineyard to bring
forth fruit, the Lord says, "I will lay it waste". In chapter 1: we read, "I have brought up
children"; in chapter 5: the Lord says: "What could have been done more to my
vineyard?" In chapter 1: we read, "Who hath required this at your hand to tread (ramas)
my courts?" and in chapter 5:, "It shall be trodden down (mirmas, the substantive form
of ramas). Again, in chapter 1: we read, "Israel doth not know, My people doth not
consider", while in chapter 5: we have the parallel charge:
"They regard not . . . . . neither consider . . . . . My people are gone away into
captivity, because they have no knowledge."
Going on to chapters 2: and 4:, we have a marked parallel between 2: 1-5 and
4: 2-6. The first passage speaks of "the last days" (2: 2) and the second of "that day"
(4: 2) when Zion shall be restored and glorified, and the nations shall be taught at
Jerusalem. Chapters 2: 6-22 and 3: 16 - 4: 1 deal with the exposure of sinful pride
and the fact that it will be brought low in the day of the Lord, while 3: 1-15 brings
before us the ruin of Jerusalem. If we are not to load our pages unduly, we must refrain
from attempting too close an analysis of these five chapters, and we therefore submit the
following to the discriminating reader, believing that those who wish to go more into
detail will be granted sufficient light and wisdom for the task.