Isaiah 5:7

The vineyard. God leaves His people in no uncertainty as to the meaning of His message to them. The specific application of this message to the apostate nation is reminiscent of Nathan’s pointed rebuke to David. “Thou art the man” (2 Sam. 12:7), and of Jesus’ scathing denunciation of the Jews: “The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof” (Matt. 21:43).

The house of Israel. Although Isaiah’s mission was primarily to the kingdom of Judah, some of his messages were fully as applicable to the kingdom of Israel. The parable of the vineyard was certainly intended primarily for Judah (v. 3), but the message of rebuke and coming doom was as appropriate for Israel as for Judah. The term “Israel” is often employed to designate the nation of Judah (see Isa. 1:3; 4:2; 8:18; 31:6; Micah 1:14; 3:1; 6:2). But the fact that here both “the house of Israel” and “the men of Judah” are mentioned would seem to indicate that the message applies to both nations. If “Israel” here specifies the northern kingdom, this prophecy was made before 722 B.C., when the northern kingdom fell. As that nation was approaching its doom, it can hardly be denied that a prophet of the Lord whose main concern was with Judah would occasionally cast a prophetic glance at Judah’s northern neighbor in its hour of crisis.

He looked for judgment. God looked for His people to exercise justice, but saw instead bloodshed, injustice, and oppression on every hand.

A cry. The “cry” came from those who suffered oppression or whose innocent blood was being shed (see Gen. 4:10; Deut. 24:15; James 5:4; Rev. 6:9, 10). The righteous do not treat one another in such a way that cries for help must ascend to heaven.