You follow a rattler into the rocks, you got no call to whine about getting’ bit.”
–Wayne D. Dundee (Dismal River)
“Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm.”
“Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm.”
–Proverbs 13:20(NLT)
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The first woe pronounced by God on the land through the prophet Isaiah was because of materialism and greed. The second woe of Isaiah 5, comes from what Lloyd-Jones describes as the “pleasure mania; intemperance with regard to pleasure. In verses 5:11-17, three things stand out: strong drink, music, and disregard for the work of the Lord. “Men and women are drunk on pleasure and live for it.” (Lloyd-Jones)
Man seeks to reave up the senses. They crave pleasure, and because of that they crave even more. Pleasure becomes the supreme thing in life. They believe that works is the means of providing money to buy pleasure. Life is one of seeking, not one of glorifying God. “Pleasure becomes such a gripping power that they are mastered by it; they rise up early in the morning that they may follow it and continue until night. The ‘good time’, this is the thing, not honest toil, not real work, not concern about living a full life.” (Lloyd-Jones)
This life is artificial. It is maintained by drink, by singing, by music, by being entertained. It is life that appeals to the emotions. It is a life that is kept going by artificial stimulants; therefore, in reality, it is an artificial life.
11 — Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may follow intoxicating drink; who continue until night, till wine inflames them!
12 — The harp and the strings, the tambourine and flute, and wine are in their feasts; but they do not regard the work of the LORD, nor consider the operation of His hands.(NKJV)
Notice: they become “inflamed.” The instincts, the passions, the desires, and the lusts take control. “Men and women become like beasts, controlled by the instincts of the lower part of their bodily nature.” (Lloyd-Jones) This is the life–they say. Look at television, at movies, at social media and see how much these things are mentioned and used in having the “good life.” “They hate the idea of the soul; they do not believe in God and in eternity.” (Lloyd-Jones)
People are ignorant. They do not regard the Lord; they do not regard the works of the Lord. They are ignorant to the fact that this artificial life will never satisfy. They who live for pleasure will never have enough. In fact, they very things they chase seek to provide some sort of escapism. Whether it be by drugs or alcohol, through music with its lyrics and beat, or through living in a fantasy world via entertainment, it is all a form of escape. Because of that there is a progressive degeneration. “Life becomes more and more selfish as people live for themselves in order to get their pleasure.” (Lloyd-Jones)
Jesus, in Luke 6:24-26, speaks of woes that will come upon man. Read them all, but for now contemplate on verse 25, “Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.” (NKJV) Consider what is happening in the world. Consider what you are doing with your life. Be serious, look around you. Look at the foolishness that is taking place. Look at the ignorance and stupidity. What are you watching, what are you consuming, what are you listening to, what are you feeding upon? Do they bring glory unto the Lord? If not, stop–stop and be serious about your life and glorifying the Lord. Do not get caught up in the games that take you away from the purpose of God. Humble yourselves, do not live the artificial life, but if not:
“People shall be brought down, each man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled. But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God who is holy shall be hallowed in righteousness.”
–Isaiah 5:15-16(NKJV)
——————————————–
The first woe pronounced by God on the land through the prophet Isaiah was because of materialism and greed. The second woe of Isaiah 5, comes from what Lloyd-Jones describes as the “pleasure mania; intemperance with regard to pleasure. In verses 5:11-17, three things stand out: strong drink, music, and disregard for the work of the Lord. “Men and women are drunk on pleasure and live for it.” (Lloyd-Jones)
Man seeks to reave up the senses. They crave pleasure, and because of that they crave even more. Pleasure becomes the supreme thing in life. They believe that works is the means of providing money to buy pleasure. Life is one of seeking, not one of glorifying God. “Pleasure becomes such a gripping power that they are mastered by it; they rise up early in the morning that they may follow it and continue until night. The ‘good time’, this is the thing, not honest toil, not real work, not concern about living a full life.” (Lloyd-Jones)
This life is artificial. It is maintained by drink, by singing, by music, by being entertained. It is life that appeals to the emotions. It is a life that is kept going by artificial stimulants; therefore, in reality, it is an artificial life.
11 — Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may follow intoxicating drink; who continue until night, till wine inflames them!
12 — The harp and the strings, the tambourine and flute, and wine are in their feasts; but they do not regard the work of the LORD, nor consider the operation of His hands.(NKJV)
Notice: they become “inflamed.” The instincts, the passions, the desires, and the lusts take control. “Men and women become like beasts, controlled by the instincts of the lower part of their bodily nature.” (Lloyd-Jones) This is the life–they say. Look at television, at movies, at social media and see how much these things are mentioned and used in having the “good life.” “They hate the idea of the soul; they do not believe in God and in eternity.” (Lloyd-Jones)
People are ignorant. They do not regard the Lord; they do not regard the works of the Lord. They are ignorant to the fact that this artificial life will never satisfy. They who live for pleasure will never have enough. In fact, they very things they chase seek to provide some sort of escapism. Whether it be by drugs or alcohol, through music with its lyrics and beat, or through living in a fantasy world via entertainment, it is all a form of escape. Because of that there is a progressive degeneration. “Life becomes more and more selfish as people live for themselves in order to get their pleasure.” (Lloyd-Jones)
Jesus, in Luke 6:24-26, speaks of woes that will come upon man. Read them all, but for now contemplate on verse 25, “Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.” (NKJV) Consider what is happening in the world. Consider what you are doing with your life. Be serious, look around you. Look at the foolishness that is taking place. Look at the ignorance and stupidity. What are you watching, what are you consuming, what are you listening to, what are you feeding upon? Do they bring glory unto the Lord? If not, stop–stop and be serious about your life and glorifying the Lord. Do not get caught up in the games that take you away from the purpose of God. Humble yourselves, do not live the artificial life, but if not:
“People shall be brought down, each man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled. But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God who is holy shall be hallowed in righteousness.”
–Isaiah 5:15-16(NKJV)