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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
The word woe needs little explanation though it is rarely heard in ordinary speech. It denotes a less than desirable outcome; it speaks of defeat and doom. Isaiah's book of 66 chapters contains 22 verses which pronounce woes upon various people and nations; six of those verses appear in the fifth chapter, the most woe intensive of any of his chapters. Our focus will be on one of these verses in Isaiah 5.
God spoke through Isaiah and said, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5.20). This passage contains a primary thought and then two parallel phrases to reinforce that primary thought. The main phrase is “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil.” The parallel phrases that reinforce that thought are: “[Woe to those] who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
Who were those who did such things, who totally distorted the truth to mean the direct opposite of what God decreed? Obviously they were Isaiah's contemporaries and fellow countrymen. They were children of Abraham, and of the lineage of Jacob (Israel). Their confusion was not due to lack of opportunity; it was either due to overt evil or willful ignorance. It was not because God had not sent the prophets to direct and guide them as spiritual leaders; Isaiah was living proof of this fact. Their confusion was not because the word of God had not been made plain; it was easily understood and followed.
One of the most amazing things about this passage is the degree (if I may use that word advisedly) of their error. It compares with the proverbial not knowing which way is up! North, so to speak, had been confused with South, and the sun, according to these folk might well be expected to rise in the west! They were not just wrong, their thoughts were diametrically opposed to those which God and His prophets had proclaimed. The degree of their error could not have been greater!
Yet, they knew enough (or at least they thought they did) to know that Isaiah was wrong. Whatever Isaiah proclaimed morally and spiritually, they avowed it to be false. The culture to which Isaiah prophesied was debased and corrupt to the core.
Jesus came into a world similar to the one to which Isaiah prophesied. They had the law preserved and ever before them. They paid it lip service, but their hearts were far from God. They found an infinite number of ways to violate the law of God and call it good. One way was by ceremonially dedicating their possessions to God (saying, “It is Corban”) and then denying their own parents the things they deserved (see Mark 7.11 and context). They professed righteousness, but such was merely a superficial proclamation with no real life profession. Paul saw a similar culture as he preached; he saw people who claimed to be godly, but denied the very power of godliness (see 2 Timothy 3.5). His greatest disappointment was in his own Jewish relatives; according to Paul, they established their own system of righteousness (Romans 10.1-4). Had he been able, he would have given himself that they might be saved. His constant prayer for them is that they might open their eyes from willful slumber and submit themselves to the righteousness of God.
Compare these ancient cultures with the one in which we live now. Do you know those who declare that sinful things are actually wholesome and honorable endeavors? If not, read tomorrows newspaper and you can find the same swap of evil for good and good for evil! Shades of Isaiah and woe to those who do such things!
Questions:
1. What do the phrases mean where Isaiah speaks of light and darkness and sweet and bitter?
2. Who determines what is good and what is evil? What part does man play in this determination?
3. When men contradict what God declares, who is wrong, or is anybody wrong? Maybe it is possible to contradict God and/or His word and be right; what do you think?
4. Why could Paul not give himself for his countrymen? When a person's eyes are willfully blinded, who can open his/her eyes?
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