Ob and In:
1. v.1-2 (BKC) In the first stanza (vv. 1–2) of this song which Isaiah composed he sang about God’s care for His vineyard and the condition of the vineyard. The second stanza (vv. 3–6) details what God said in view of her condition. In the third stanza (v. 7) the vineyard in the figure is identified. Elsewhere God referred to Israel as a vineyard (3:14; Ps. 80:8–18; Jer. 2:21; 12:10; Ezek. 15:6–8; Hosea 10:1).
repeated word: in v.1 love x2, vineyard x2
v.2b He waited for it to produce edible grapes,
but it produced sour ones (BDB=stinking or worthless things, wild grapes) instead
v.4b When I waited for it to produce edible grapes,
why did it produce sour ones instead?
v.7 He waited for justice, but look what he got—disobedience! (NET-The precise meaning of מִשְׂפָּח (mishpakh), which occurs only here in the OT, is uncertain. Some have suggested a meaning “bloodshed.” The term is obviously chosen for its wordplay value; it sounds very much like מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, “justice”). The sound play draws attention to the point being made; the people have not met the Lord’s expectations.).
He waited for fairness, but look what he got—cries for help!
Reflection: What kind of loving care has God given to me and to our church? What does He expect from us? Do we meet His expectations?
2. People did not understand because they focus their lives on entertainment and do not consider or pay attention to God. That, in turn, will lead to their destruction v.8-23
v.5-6 I will remove its hedge and turn it into pasture, I will break its wall and allow animals to graze there. 6 I will make it a wasteland; ...I will order the clouds not to drop any rain on it.
v.11 Beware those who get up early to drink beer v.12b So they do not recognize what the LORD is doing, they do not perceive what he is bringing about. 13 Therefore my people will be deported because of their lack of understanding.
v.18 Beware, Beware, those who pull evil along using cords of emptiness (BDB=of conduct, worthlessness) are as good as dead (NET=the folly of the Israelites who hold on to their sin (and its punishment) even while they hope for divine intervention).
v.20 Beware...v.21 Beware...v.22 Beware...
They call things in total opposite of the reality and they think they are wise.
(NET) The accusatory elements of vv. 8, 11–12, 18–23 are arranged in a chiastic manner: (A) social injustice (8), (B) carousing (11–12a), (C) spiritual insensitivity (12b) // (C′) spiritual insensitivity (18–21), (B′) carousing (22), (A′) social injustice (23).
Reflection: What is my focus? How much is my life is focus on entertainment/social injustice and thus I am spiritual insensitive? What is the cords of emptiness or worthlessness in my life?
3. v.24-29
(NET) The motif of light turning to darkness is ironic when compared to v. 20. There the sinners turn light (= moral/ethical good) to darkness (= moral/ethical evil). Now ironically the Lord will turn light (= the sinners’ sphere of existence and life) into darkness (= the judgment and death).
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