Oppression And Luxury Condemned
January 15, 2021
Commentary
Much the same as in our day, the women of Judah had placed their emphasis on clothing and jewelry rather than in God. It would seem from what we read in the last half of this chapter that they dressed to gain approval and to be fashionable. Instead of being concerned about the needs around them they were self-serving and self-centered. The Lord condemns the peoples 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.
After denouncing the men who are in leadership in the first half of this chapter Isaiah zeroes in on the proud women who seem to enjoy the profits from their husband’s crimes (vv. 16-26). He warns that the day is coming when the Lord will take away all of their adornments. He lists some of these as anklets, headbands, dangling earrings, bracelets, veils, headdresses, ankle chains, sashes, finger rings, nose rings, cloaks, money purses, etc. (vv. 18-23). He says that the day is coming that instead of the sweet smell of perfume there will be a stink and instead of their beautiful robes they will wear sackcloth and ashes.
These verses are not an indictment against clothing and jewelry, but a judgment on those who wear them lavishly while remaing blind to the needs of others. When God blesses us with money or position we should not flaunt them. Instead we should use what we have to help others.
Application
These verses are not an indictment against clothing and jewelry but a judgement on those who use them lavishly while remaining blind to the needs of others. I must spend more time and money on what I put into my heart and mind than I do in trying to dress up the outside of my body. The motives I have on the inside are much more important than whar I say or do.
Isaiah 3:13– 26 (NET)
13 The Lord takes his position to judge; he stands up to pass sentence on his people.
14 The Lord comes to pronounce judgment on the leaders of his people and their officials. He says, “It is you who have ruined the vineyard! You have stashed in your houses what you have stolen from the poor.
15 Why do you crush my people and grind the faces of the poor?” The Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies has spoken.
16 The Lord says, “The women of Zion are proud. They walk with their heads high and flirt with their eyes. They skip along and the jewelry on their ankles jingles.
17 So the Lord will afflict the foreheads of Zion’s women with skin diseases; the Lord will make the front of their heads bald.”
18 At that time the Lord will remove their beautiful ankle jewelry, neck ornaments, crescent-shaped ornaments, 19 earrings, bracelets, veils, 20 headdresses, ankle ornaments, sashes, sachets, amulets, 21 rings, nose rings, 22 festive dresses, robes, shawls, purses, 23 garments, vests, head coverings, and gowns.
24 A putrid stench will replace the smell of spices, a rope will replace a belt, baldness will replace braided locks of hair, a sackcloth garment will replace a fine robe, and a prisoner’s brand will replace beauty.
25 Your men will fall by the sword, your strong men will die in battle.
26 Her gates will mourn and lament; deprived of her people, she will sit on the ground.