Israel’s sins would not go unpunished (verses 6-7). God would deal with
these people in His way and in His time. He would not remain silent
forever. For the moment, they were getting away with their sin, but this
would not last. God would pay them back in full for their evil. They had
defiled the mountains and the hills with their terrible pagan practices. The
day was coming when the penalty for this would fall into their laps.
In verse 8 Isaiah painted a picture of some grape clusters that still had some
good grapes in them. The picture was of God’s people. Most were bad, but
not all. For the sake of the good grapes, the cluster was not thrown away.
We see a similar principle in the story of the destruction of Sodom and
Gomorrah. For the sake of ten righteous people, the Lord would have
spared the cities (Genesis 18:32). Because He could not find even ten
righteous people, both these cities were destroyed. We do not understand
the impact we have as believers on our society. Could it be that we are the
only thing keeping God from completely destroying our society? Could it
be that we are the last preserving influence in our nation?
Isaiah prophesied that the Lord would preserve a righteous remnant in Israel
(verses 9-10). The region of Sharon would again be pasture for flocks. The
Valley of Achor would again be a resting place for their herds and for all
who would seek the Lord. These two areas represented the whole land of
Israel. This offer of renewal would be extended to all who would seek the
Lord. To those who refused Him, however, the terms were very different
(verses 11-12). Those who neglected the Lord’s holy mountain and temple
and turned to paganism (Fortune and Destiny) would be destined for the
sword and for slaughter. God had called out to them, but they had not
listened. He had given them every chance to repent and return to Him, but
they had refused. Because of this, God would make a clear distinction
between those who loved and served Him and those who rejected Him.
In verses 13-15, God told Israel that His servants would eat, but those who
rejected Him would go hungry. God’s servants would drink, but those who
abandoned Him would go thirsty. God’s servants would rejoice, but those
who turned from Him would be put to shame. The individuals who turned
their backs on the Lord God would be remembered as a curse on their
society. The Lord would put them to death. Those who loved the Lord,