Judgment on Judah And Jerusalem
July 14, 2019
Commentary
In this chapter Isaiah warns the people of Judah that God will take away their leadership and everything they have been depending on for their survival (vv. 1-3). In place of their national leaders God tells them that He will give them “children” and “babes” to rule over them (v. 4). He will take away their food and water. Instead of being repentant the people were proud of their sins, parading them out in the open (v. 9-12). Sin is always wrong regardless of how society perceives it. Sin will eventually make us miserable and destroy us. It may seem disheartening for us to see the wicked prosper while we struggle to obey God and follow His plan, but we can be sure that God will bring justice in the end.
The women of Judah loved their clothing and jewelry more than God. They dressed to gain approval and to be fashionable. They were self-serving and self-centered. The Lord condemns the people’s oppression and luxury (vv. 13-15). The elders and princes were responsible to help people, but instead they stole from the poor. Because they were unjust, Isaiah said they would be first to receive God’s judgment. Next Isaiah condemned the proud women who profited from their husband’s crimes (vv. 16-26). He warned that the day was coming when the Lord would take away all their adornments (3:18-23). On “Day of the Lord” women will be desperate to be married (4:1).
Isaiah switches from a warning of judgment to a message of comfort. Isaiah is the first prophet to call the coming Messiah by the name “The branch of the Lord” (v. 2) God will cleanse His people, restore the fruitfulness of the land, and dwell with them as He did when He led them through the wilderness. This prophesy looks ahead to the millennium. In those days a tabernacle shall stand as the “place of refuge” (v. 6) on Mount Zion.
Application
No matter how dark the day may get today I can be sure that light is just around the corner. I should be looking and anticipating His return each day. What a day of rejoicing that will be!
Isaiah 3:1– 4:6 (NET)
1 Look, the Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah every source of security, including all the food and water,
2 the mighty men and warriors, judges and prophets, omen readers and leaders,
3 captains of groups of fifty, the respected citizens, advisers and those skilled in magical arts, and those who know incantations.
4 The Lord says, “I will make youths their officials; malicious young men will rule over them.
5 The people will treat each other harshly; men will oppose each other; neighbors will fight. Youths will proudly defy the elderly and riffraff will challenge those who were once respected.
6 Indeed, a man will grab his brother right in his father’s house and say, ‘You own a coat— you be our leader! This heap of ruins will be under your control.’