Woe unto them that draw iniquity, &c.— The third crime is, the pretence of false and wicked reasonings, by which the profane bring their minds to perpetrate the most abominable crimes against the calls and admonitions of conscience; which is expressed metaphorically in this verse, and literally in the next, as is very usual with the prophet. By העון משׁכי moshkei heavon, drawing iniquity, he alludes, according to the force of the Hebrew, to drawing it along like a plough; i.e. keeping it in perpetual action; promoting or encouraging the practice of it. By cords of vanity, are meant idle pretexts and specious arguments: such as these; that God does not regard human affairs; that many of the greatest sinners often go unpunished: that we see no proofs of the divine interposition, &c. See 2 Peter 3:3-4 and Vitringa. We cannot have a fairer comment on these words than the state and disposition of the Jews, as described in the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who scoffed at all his divine offers, and those of his apostles, and would not regard the counsel of the holy One of Israel, till their own destruction overwhelmed them.
Related Commentaries of Isaiah 5:18
Isaiah 5:18-19
18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:
19 That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!