Temperance Bible Commentary Isaiah 5:11-12 Woe to them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!… 1. Contrary to modern and superficial notions, which confine intemperance to northern climes, and exclude it from vine-growing countries, the people of Israel, following the example of their chief men, were addicted to the grossest indulgence in intoxicating liquors. The juice of the grape (yayin) and the juice of other fruits (shakar) were drunk in their fermented state; and probably both, certainly the latter, were mixed with pungent and heavy drugs (ver. 22) in order to gratify a base and insatiable appetite. Men rose up early and sat up late to prosecute these vicious indulgences, and they boasted of themselves as "mighty" and "valiant" (ver. 22) in proportion as they were able to gulp down large quantities of these compounds and to "carry their drink well." 2. The attendant and in no small measure the consequential evils were of the most aggravated kind. The Divine works were disregarded (ver. 12), ignorance reigned (ver. 13), sin abounded (ver. 18), men's moral conceptions were the opposite of the truth (ver. 20), self-conceit grew luxuriantly (ver. 21), bribery and injustice were rampant (ver. 23). The vengeance of God was awakening against them and would take the triple form of famine, pestilence, and invasion, so that their supplies of drink would be cut off (vers. 6, 7, 10), the pest-stricken would lie in the streets (ver. 25), and hostile nations would ravage the land (vers. 26-30). (Temperance Bible Commentary.) Parallel Verses KJV: Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! |
    |