You’ve likely met religious people who, at least by their talk, seem to be in tune with the Lord. It’s always “God willing,” “praise the Lord,” “bless Jesus.” They’re in church most Sundays, seemingly concerned about church finances, church polity, serving on multiple committees.
On the other hand, there’s something wrong with their lives. Their attitudes are suspect. Easily offended, they are ready to be insulting when things don’t go their way. They are rude in their behavior and pompous in their spirituality. They bring little to the table of God’s family, eat much, and their family is often a spiritual train wreck.
It’s like that with ancient Israel in Isaiah 4. They talk a good game, but there is little in their lives to indicate true spirituality. Always willing for God to work (5:19), their own works are outside God’s will, manipulating truth so as to approve of what God condemns.
These folks can get away with it for a while – just like ancient Israel. But eventually, and assuredly, God will whistle for his disciplinary team, and these hypocrites will be judged and punished, and His indignation is neither easily nor soon assuaged.