What does Isaiah 5:6 mean?
The owner of the failed vineyard is declaring his intention to destroy it. The vineyard's harvest is valueless and he is done with it. He will tear down the protective barrier that exists and leave the vineyard to the wild animals to decimate (Isaiah 5:5).Now the owner adds that he will make no attempt to work it any longer. He wants it to become a wasteland. Instead of maintaining the vines, he will intentionally let thorns and weeds grow up and over the existing plants.
Next the farmer says he will tell the clouds not to rain on his vineyard. This reference would have been a strong indicator of exactly who was speaking. That was something only God can do. Did the original audience start to suspect just who this owner was at this point? Or did they just assume he was using hyperbole to express his bitter anger and disappointment?
The next verse (Isaiah 5:7) gives away exactly what Isaiah's song has been about all along, including who the vineyard is meant to represent.