Judgment
Isaiah is written to the people of Judah, people we call Jews today. God had chosen these people to be His and had a special relationship with them, but for generations they failed to obey Him. Isaiah describes them as a vineyard that has been well cared for, but produces nothing of value. God’s patience has run out and He is now going to let their behavior lead to its deserved results.
God’s judgment in this chapter takes the form of people suffering the natural results of their choices, rather than fire from heaven type of judgment. We often suffer in similar ways. If we spend too much, we end up in debt; if we eat poorly, our health fails; if we ignore relationships, we end up alone; and if we commit a crime, we go to prison. Making bad choices and expecting God to protect us from ourselves is presuming on God’s patience.