Isaiah 5:15–16 (ESV) … “Man is humbled, and each one is brought low, and the eyes of the haughty are brought low. But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness.”
Because of Judah’s lifestyle she would experience several results, the worst being exile. Included in that experience would be death by hunger and thirst (v. 13). Many would die, both nobles and masses, since death has no respect for rank (v. 14). The carousing drunkards (brawlers and revelers) of whom Isaiah had just spoken (vv. 11–12) would also die (v. 14). All proud people would be humiliated (cf. 2:11–12, 17) regardless of their previous stations in life (5:15). With the houses of the wealthy ruined (cf. vv. 8–9) and desolate, lambs would easily graze there (v. 17). This destruction of the nation would lead to a display of God’s justice and holiness (v. 16).
This does not mean that He delights in revenge. Rather, He keeps His word as spoken in the covenant. His discipline of the nation would show that He still loved her and would someday bring her back into a favored position.[1]
