24 Therefore as the tongue of fire devours the stubble,
and as the dry grass sinks down in the flame,
so their root shall be as rottenness,
and their blossom shall go up as dust;
because they have rejected the law of Yahweh of Armies,
and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. 25 Therefore Yahweh’s anger burns against his people,
and he has stretched out his hand against them, and has struck them.
The mountains tremble,
and their dead bodies are as refuse in the midst of the streets.
For all this, his anger is not turned away,
but his hand is still stretched out. 26 He will lift up a banner to the nations from far,
and he will whistle for them from the end of the earth.
Behold, they will come speedily and swiftly. 27 None shall be weary nor stumble among them;
none shall slumber nor sleep;
neither shall the belt of their waist be untied,
nor the latchet of their shoes be broken: 28 whose arrows are sharp,
and all their bows bent.
Their horses’ hoofs will be like flint,
and their wheels like a whirlwind. 29 Their roaring will be like a lioness.
They will roar like young lions.
Yes, they shall roar,
and seize their prey and carry it off,
and there will be no one to deliver. 30 They will roar against them in that day like the roaring of the sea.
If one looks to the land behold, darkness and distress.
The light is darkened in its clouds.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 5:24-30
Commentary on Isaiah 5:24-30
(Read Isaiah 5:24-30)
Let not any expect to live easily who live wickedly. Sin weakens the strength, the root of a people; it defaces the beauty, the blossoms of a people. When God's word is despised, and his law cast away, what can men expect but that God should utterly abandon them? When God comes forth in wrath, the hills tremble, fear seizes even great men. When God designs the ruin of a provoking people, he can find instruments to be employed in it, as he sent for the Chaldeans, and afterwards the Romans, to destroy the Jews. Those who would not hear the voice of God speaking by his prophets, shall hear the voice of their enemies roaring against them. Let the distressed look which way they will, all appears dismal. If God frowns upon us, how can any creature smile? Let us diligently seek the well-grounded assurance, that when all earthly helps and comforts shall fail, God himself will be the strength of our hearts, and our portion for ever.