We conclude the series “America in Biblical Prophecy” today, focusing on the sixth woe of Isaiah.
To recap the previous five woes:
The Six Woes of Isaiah: Woe #6 – Drunken Leaders
Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and valiant men in mixing strong drink, who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away the rights of the ones who are in the right! –Isaiah 5:22-23.
Again we see the warnings against drunkenness. The “heroes in drinking wine” speaks of those who can drink like an athlete can run. It’s similar to the “valiant men in mixing strong drink.” The “strong drink” is the Hebrew word “shekar” which means a “strong drink, intoxicating drink, fermented or intoxicating liquor.”
When are leaders are intoxicated, it’s an easy step to “justify the wicked for a bribe.” In the Hebrew, the word for “bribe” indicates a gift to corrupt a judge or to free oneself from punishment.
How picturesque of what occurs in so many boardrooms of corporate America nowadays. Does Enron or MCI bring to remembrance recent corporate scandals? Doesn’t this describe so many of the scandals of even our own elected officials?
At the same time, we get the leaders we deserve. Ancient Israel experienced the same. God tells the Israelites:
“Where now is your king that he may save you in all your cities, and your judges of whom you requested, ‘Give me a king and princes’? I gave you a king in My anger and took him away in my wrath.” –Hosea 13:10-11.
Israel had a king: the King of the Universe, God Himself. But it wasn’t good enough for them. In spite of God warning the people about asking for a king, they went ahead and did it anyway. The people foolishly went to Samuel and asked for an earthly king.
The Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day–in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods–so they are doing to you also.” –1 Samuel 8:7-8.
Are we any different? If we continue to shove God out of our own lives, will we not let that pervade all of our decisions including the way we vote and the business ethics (or lack thereof) in our working lives?
What will happen if we do not heed these woes?
God pronounced His judgment on Israel through Isaiah, Hosea, and the other prophets. Specifically, through Isaiah, God says:
Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes stubble and dry grass collapses into the flame, so their root will become like rot and their blossom blow away as dust; for they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. On this account the anger of the Lord has burned against His people, and He has stretched out His hand against them and struck them down. And the mountains quaked, and their corpses lay like refuse in the middle of the streets. For all this His anger is not spent, but His hand is still stretched out. –Isaiah 5:24-25.
Make no mistake: God’s judgment is coming. It’s coming for those that reject Him in this life. God is not willing that anyone should perish. He would rather that you come to Him in repentance (2 Peter 3:9) and be born again! Don’t wait until you have no choice. It will be too late then. Repent! Give your life to Christ! He is waiting for you.
May He Increase!
