Isaiah 5: 18-  In quick succession Isaiah declares 4 more "woes" on Judah for their sinful rebellion against  the Lord.  

V. 18 "Woe to those who drag iniquity with the cords of falsehood, and sin as if with cart ropes..." They were crying out to the Lord for help.."let Him make speed" !  Hurry up Lord and help us... "so we can know".  But, they wouldn't let go of their sins.  They wanted to God's blessing without obeying  God's commandments.  God does not honor such prayers. 

V. 20 "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! 

I'm going to get a bit political for a moment.. I hope you will forgive me. But, as I watch and listen to what is happening in our country today.. I see a movement of people who are calling "evil good" - they are leading America into darkness and sin and calling it "enlightenment" and "progress".  God will judge them for this.  I also hear them calling "good evil".  What is good?   One example is - marriage that is restricted to one man and one woman.  That is God's way... the only right way according to His Word.  

V21 "Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and clever in their own sight!"   Reminds me of        I Corinthians 3:19-20  "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God.. For it is written, 'He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness.' The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that they are useless. "  And , James 3: 15 "This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic." 

V 22 "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!" 

Again, we go back to Isaiah's song.. God established Israel for the purpose of true justice and true righteousness -  based on His Laws..They failed to produce anything close to His intentions for them.  So, He would bring judgement.  It would come through foreign nations.  God would "whistle" for them to come and they would come with power and speed. 

There is coming a day of judgement for the whole world, including our nation.  As we see the sins of Judah and Israel repeated today all across the globe, we need to heed the warning of the Almighty God. 

Father in heaven, we cry out to You, for we watch in horror as our nation is led into darkness and evil. We pray for  Your Word to run rapidly and spread freely across our land. We pray for Your grace, to open doors of opportunity for the Word to be shared in ways that lives will be transformed forevermore.  Let Your glory shine through Your people as You are lifted up and exalted on the earth.  You are our salvation and in You we have hope and victory. Let Your Kingdom come, Lord Jesus! Praise Your holy name. Amen.