Isaiah 5:5-6
And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "go to" isn't just a casual invitation; it's a strong call to attention, urging the listeners to stop and truly hear what God is about to reveal. This isn't merely about punishment; it's about God withdrawing the very protective layers and boundaries He established, leaving His people vulnerable to utter destruction because of their unfaithfulness.
The Lord has just described his loving care for Israel, his chosen people, like a vinedresser tending a prized vineyard. But instead of producing the good fruit he expected, the vineyard yielded only wild, sour grapes. Now, the Lord declares what he will do in response to this deep disappointment and betrayal. He will remove all the protective measures—the hedge and the wall—leaving his vineyard exposed and vulnerable.
Imagine your home completely exposed, its defenses stripped away. This is the stark imagery God uses to describe His actions.
God declares His intention to remove the 'hedge' and break down the 'wall' of His vineyard. These weren't just fences; they represented God's active protection and unique care for Israel.
When these are removed, the vineyard is left vulnerable, exposed to be 'devoured' and 'trampled down.' This signifies God withdrawing His favor and allowing enemies to invade and destroy.
Why would God announce His judgment before carrying it out? There's a profound purpose behind this divine disclosure.
The opening phrase, 'And now go to; I will tell you what I will do...' isn't just a dramatic announcement. It's an invitation to listen and understand the impending consequences.
Understand the original words
mĕśûkâ · Hebrew Noun
A protective enclosure around the vineyard, representing the covenantal boundary and the hedge of divine protection that God places around His people.
gādēr · Hebrew Noun
A physical barrier representing security and separation; in a theological sense, it symbolizes the divine defense that shields God's people from enemies when they are faithful.
shiyth/shamir · Hebrew Noun
A state of being laid waste, deserted, or ruined. In a biblical context, it often signifies divine judgment resulting in the removal of God's blessing or presence.
This prophecy was delivered during a time when Judah, despite enjoying God's protection and abundant blessings, had become spiritually corrupt and unjust. The removal of the 'hedge' and 'wall' signifies God withdrawing His protection, leaving them vulnerable to the encroaching empires like Assyria, a fate that had already befallen the northern kingdom of Israel.
c. 750 BC
Isaiah's Ministry Begins
Isaiah begins his prophetic ministry in Judah during a period of relative prosperity but underlying moral and spiritual decay. This sets the stage for his pronouncements against the nation's unfaithfulness.
c. 740 BC— this verse
The Vineyard Parable Delivered
Isaiah delivers the parable of the vineyard to the people of Judah, detailing God's care for them and their failure to produce righteous fruit, as recorded in Isaiah 5:1-7.
c. 730 BC
Assyrian Threat Intensifies
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, under rulers like Tiglath-Pileser III and Shalmaneser V, grows in power, posing an increasing military threat to the smaller kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian army conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, destroying its capital, Samaria, and exiling much of its population. This event serves as a stark warning to Judah.
This passage directly parallels the imagery of a ravaged vineyard, with the psalmist lamenting the destruction of Israel's defenses and its subsequent vulnerability to enemies, mirroring Isaiah's prophecy.
Jeremiah 2:21Jeremiah also uses the vineyard metaphor for Israel, highlighting their unfaithfulness and God's judgment for turning away from Him, reinforcing the theme of divine retribution for a corrupted 'vineyard'.
Matthew 21:33-43Jesus tells a parable of a vineyard owner whose tenants (religious leaders) abuse and kill his servants and son, leading to the owner taking the vineyard away and giving it to others, directly echoing Isaiah's judgment upon the unfaithful vineyard.
Luke 13:6-9In this parable, Jesus speaks of a fig tree (often associated with a vineyard in imagery) that is unfruitful and, after a period of waiting and tending, is destined for destruction, reflecting the theme of judgment for barrenness.
John 15:1-8Jesus identifies Himself as the true vine and His followers as branches, emphasizing the vital connection required for fruitfulness and the consequences for those who do not bear fruit, thereby providing a New Testament perspective on the vineyard's purpose.
barnesIsaiah 5:5: "And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:"
Go to - The Hebrew word here is one that is commonly rendered, 'I pray you,' and is used "to call the attention to" what is said. It is the word from which we have derived the adverb "now," נא nā'. I will take away the hedge - A "hedge" is a fence of thorns, made by suffering thorn-bushes to gro…
jfbIsaiah 5:5: "And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:"
- go to—that is, attend to me.hedge … wall—It had both; a proof of the care of the owner. But now it shall be trodden down by wild beasts (enemies) (Ps 80:12, 13).
The phrase "go to" isn't just a casual invitation; it's a strong call to attention, urging the listeners to stop and truly hear what God is about to reveal. This isn't merely about punishment; it's about God withdrawing the very protective layers and boundaries He established, leaving His people vulnerable to utter destruction because of their unfaithfulness.
The Lord has just described his loving care for Israel, his chosen people, like a vinedresser tending a prized vineyard. But instead of producing the good fruit he expected, the vineyard yielded only wild, sour grapes. Now, the Lord declares what he will do in response to this deep disappointment and betrayal. He will remove all the protective measures—the hedge and the wall—leaving his vineyard exposed and vulnerable.
The Lord has just described his loving care for Israel, his chosen people, like a vinedresser tending a prized vineyard. But instead of producing the good fruit he expected, the vineyard yielded only wild, sour grapes. Now, the Lord declares what he will do in response to this deep disappointment and betrayal. He will remove all the protective measures—the hedge and the wall—leaving his vineyard exposed and vulnerable.
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c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invades Judah, capturing many fortified cities and besieging Jerusalem. Though Jerusalem is spared, Judah suffers significant devastation.
"And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. I will make it a waste; it shall n…" — The phrase "go to" isn't just a casual invitation; it's a strong call to attention, urging the listeners to stop and truly hear what God is about to reveal. This isn't merely about punishment; it's…
