In our study of Isaiah chapter three, we look at the effects of rebellion against the leadership of God. This chapter reminds us of what life is like when we turn our backs on God and go our own way.
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For see! The Lord, ADONAI-Tzva'ot, will remove from Yerushalayim and Y'hudah every kind of support all reserves of food and water; heroes and warriors, judges and prophets, diviners and leaders, captains of fifty, men of rank and advisers, skillful magicians and expert enchanters.
In chapter two, we saw how God's people chose to worship the things that they had made and to turn their back on God. Now, Isaiah starts to describe God's answer to this rebellion. The people had forgotten that it was God who sustained them and now they were going to see the effects. Isaiah was basically telling the people that, since they wanted to run their own lives, they were on their own. The same is true of us today as most people are going around ignoring the fact that God created all things and not allowing God to lead them. The list of people being affected shows us the nature of the problem as the leaders of Israel are listed but among the list is one who does not belong which is diviners and enchanters. This speaks of the occult and idolatry which is specifically forbidden but they have crept in among the leadership of Israel without anyone even noticing that it was happening.
I will put children in authority; capriciousness will govern them. People will oppress each other - everyone his friend, everyone his neighbor. The young will be insolent toward their elders, the insignificant arrogant toward the respected. A man will take hold of his brother in his father's house and say, "You have a coat, so rule us! Take charge of this ruin!" But on that day, he will protest, "I don't have a remedy, I lack food and clothing for my own house; don't put me in charge of people!"
Isaiah describes the nation after God removes his favor from them and it is a time of chaos when people without wisdom (children) lead them. They will search for a leader to get them out of their situation but the social and economic problems are so big that no man will want to be the leader. It sounds very similar to our situation in the world today. Each election cycle, the people search for hope in another man and his promises but, in the end, nothing will change until the hearts of the people turn back to God and his ways.
For Yerushalayim is ruined, and Y'hudah has fallen; because their words and deeds defy ADONAI, in open provocation of his glory. Their very look witnesses against them! They parade their sin, like S'dom; they don't even try to hide it - all the worse for them! - they bring evil on themselves.
Isaiah describes how the people are denying God and are unashamed. Disaster has come upon them and yet they do not repent and turn back to God. They do not even try to hide their rebellion and so God's judgment is coming. The same description would apply to most countries in the world today as it seems everyone has turned their back on God and his commands. Many openly mock the word of God and laws are made approving sinful conduct.
Say that it will go well with the righteous, that they will enjoy the fruit of their actions; but woe to the wicked, it will go badly with him; for what he has done will be done to him.
Hope is offered here for the righteous as God judges the people. Instead of the entire community being judged together as was normal, now there is a separation of the righteous and the wicked. Each will answer for their own actions. The same is true for us today as it does not matter what church or group you belong to, the judgment is based on an individual right relationship with God.
My people - children oppress them, and women are ruling over them. My people! Your guides lead you astray and obliterate the paths you should follow.
The reference to youths refers to people without wisdom (because wisdom comes from God) and having women rule was a sign of weakness (as women did not go out to battle). Isaiah laments that these weak leaders that lack wisdom are leading the people astray. They are teaching the people to do things that do not glorify God. The same could be said of our world today as most leaders have turned their back on the very word of God and so lack wisdom.
ADONAI rises to accuse, he stands to judge the peoples. ADONAI presents the indictment against the leaders and officers of his people: "It is you who devour the vineyard; in your houses is plunder taken from the poor. What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding down the faces of the poor?" says Adonai ELOHIM-Tzva'ot.
Now, Isaiah begins to tell of the judgment on God's people who have turned away from him. The judgment begins with the leaders of the people and Isaiah quotes the words from God concerning them. God explains that it is the leaders that have ruined his people (vineyard) by stealing the very word of God from them and keeping it for themselves. The question that God poses to the leaders can also be applied to each of us as Christians. We are all called to be disciples and leaders by example. It is our duty to share the word of God with the poor (lost) and, if we do not, it is just as if we were "grinding the faces of the poor".
Moreover ADONAI says: "Because Tziyon's women are so proud, walking with their heads in the air and throwing seductive glances, moving with mincing steps and jingling their anklets Adonai will strike the crown of the heads of Tziyon's women with sores, and ADONAI will expose their private parts."
Now, Isaiah describes the judgment on the women and we see that it is Tziyon's women which speaks of women who are a part of the kingdom. He describes how these kingdom women walk around teasing the men and leading them to commit sin. They are so proud of their physical beauty but Isaiah tells how God will remove their beauty by taking their hair and causing sores on their head. This same description could easily be used for many of the women of today as the beauty of women is used to sell everything and they are taught from an early age to use that beauty to get whatever they want. As we see here, this is not proper for Christian (kingdom) women.
On that day Adonai will take away their finery - their anklets, medallions and crescents, their pendants, bracelets and veils; their headbands, armlets, sashes, perfume bottles, amulets, rings and nose-jewels; their fine dresses, wraps, shawls, handbags, gauze scarves, linen underclothes, turbans and capes.
Isaiah then goes on to list many of the things that the women have began to worship. He says that "in that day" which is referring to the day of judgment and explains that God will remove these things on that day. We may say that we don't worship these things and it does not apply to us but just look on television and magazines. Our society could easily be described in the same way that Isaiah is describing these women.
Then, there will be instead of perfume, a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well-set hair, a shaved scalp; instead of a rich robe, a sackcloth skirt; and a slave-brand instead of beauty.
In this verse, Isaiah contrasts what the women would have with God and what they will have without God. The once proud women will now be put to shame.
Your men will fall by the sword and your warriors in battle.
Now, Isaiah turns to the judgment on the men. Since they have turned their backs on God, they will not have him with them in battle and they will be defeated.
Her gates will lament and mourn; ravaged, she will sit on the ground.
The final judgment in this chapter is on the city itself. The result of the people turning their back on God is that the city itself will suffer. The same can be said of the USA and some other countries today. Since we have turned our back on God, the country has lost its blessing from God.
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