What will happen before the harvest according to Isaiah 18:5?

In Isaiah 18:5, the verse uses agricultural imagery to illustrate a significant process in the lifecycle of plants. The correct answer highlights the act of cutting off the sprigs with pruning hooks, which signifies preparation for the harvest. This action suggests a moment of divine intervention or judgment, indicating that before the full ripening or maturity of the crops, there will be a necessity for trimming and removal of excess growth to facilitate a better yield.

This imagery aligns with the broader themes of Isaiah, where pruning often represents God's judgment or purification process, creating the condition necessary for something new to come forth. In this context, the cutting away signifies the importance of readiness and the distinction made by God before blessing the harvest.

The other choices, while related to positive growth outcomes, do not accurately capture this critical moment of preparation and selection prior to the harvest that Isaiah emphasizes.