“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight!” Isaiah 5:20-21

It’s sobering to hear this heartfelt cry from God. The context which led up to this declaration begins in verse 1 where the Lord reminisces of planting His beloved vineyard on a fertile hill. He planted the choicest vine and expected it to produce good grapes, but it produced only a worthless variety.

A vineyard that yields only thorns and thistles is like a bride who returns contempt for her husband’s expressions of love.

The parable refers to Israel whom God had chosen to be His own possession. He blessed them, taught them His ways and raised up faithful men to oversee their needs, but in return they constantly rebelled against Him. 

The Scriptures tell us that every seed reproduces after its own kind. An apple seed cannot produce an orange tree and wheat cannot produce figs. God’s seed is His Word, -when received it will produce the desirable fruits of obedience.

 But God isn’t the only one sowing seeds, the devil sows his seeds of rebellion. Those who receive the devil’s seeds call evil good and good evil. They substitute darkness for light and bitter for sweet. And they are wise and clever in their own eyes. Rather than looking for the truth which would set them free, they are more interested in finding loopholes to get around any obligation to walk obediently in the Lord’s Ways.

Oh, these people honor God with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him and their deeds do not follow, -“Their banquets are accompanied by lyre and harp, by tambourine and flute, and by wine; But they do not pay attention to the deeds of the Lord, nor do they consider the work of His hands.” (vs 12)

What about you? When you look around the world today isn’t it easy to find people calling evil good and good evil? When you look into the Christian Church isn’t it easy to find many who are wise and clever in their own eyes following after their own lusts? How many today really diligently pay attention to the deeds of the Lord and consider the works of His hands?

That is the reality of the time we are living in. Jesus said that the time of His coming would take the unfaithful by surprise. He said that the end would be like the days of Noah when people were going about their daily business simply oblivious to the coming wrath and He asked, -“Will the Son of Man find faith on the earth when He returns?”

Woe means “great sorrow.” Great sorrow is coming for the many who exchange good for evil, light for darkness, truth for lies and obedience for disobedience, please do not be numbered with the many but with the faithful few.