This passage continues with what Isaiah saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem (2:1). Several translations begin the third chapter of Isaiah with “behold.” The NIV says, “see now.” The imperative is that we look, see and understand – and repent. Isaiah was writing to warn Judah – but as you read the book, you will understand he is writing to us now – God is trying to get our attention, even as He was speaking to the people of Judah many years ago.
God is the God of hosts (v 1), that is, He is the leader of a vast army, or armies. “O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure.” [Psa 80:4-5 ESV] In the first chapter of Isaiah, we learned God was not going to listen to their prayers (1:15). Now, in this third chapter, we will learn how and why God gave “them tears to drink in full measure.”
Isaiah said God will take away their food and water and their ability to provide for their needs. Verses fourteen and fifteen give us a clue this was done through regulation, but we will get to that in a moment. Along with removing supply and support, God removed the counselors, the leaders, the policymakers and all the influential people in law, religion, military, professions, art and entertainment (v 2-3). God replaced those who were skilled with those who were adolescent and impulsive (v 4-5). And the people were oppressed but they did not repent.
When the skilled, the learned and the wise are replaced by the impetuous and foolish, society becomes a culture of death. Neighbors oppress each other – everyone wants to micromanage each others’ lives. Youths openly disrespect their elders – mocking them in public, stealing, robbing and invading their homes. Those who have squandered their lives in sloth, mock and attack the honorable – those who work hard and speak the truth. I didn’t get this from the daily paper. Read it for yourself, it is all in verse five.
The times will be so harsh, that a man who has an extra coat will be asked to lead (v 6-7).
Solomon said the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Pro 1:7). He also said a fool finds pleasure in evil (Pro 10:23) and here we see, in the third chapter of Isaiah, a culture obsessed with evil. In verse eight, Isaiah says their speech and their actions were against the LORD and that they rebelled “against His glorious presence.” [NASB] Jerusalem and Judah were chosen by God – His glorious presence was among His people – but they rejected Him. If the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and fools find pleasure in evil; does it not logically follow that a nation in rebellion to God is a nation of fools?
Isaiah wrote, “The expression of their faces bears witness against them. And they display their sin like Sodom; they do not even conceal it.” [v 9a NASB] In other words, the people are not ashamed of evil. Even in our modern churches, we go out of our way to commend perversion for the sake of extending the love of Christ. Where does the Bible say to do this? Let alone the Old Testament prophets, even the Apostle Paul condemned perversion and lifestyles of sin. In the first chapter of Romans, he said by their unrighteousness they suppress the truth (Rom 1:18). Paul wrote that God made His eternal power and His divine, or holy, nature obvious so that all men are without excuse (Rom 1:20). But man exchanged God’s wisdom for futile foolishness – you cannot rebel against God and maintain wisdom at the same time. Paul said they claimed to be wise while they became fools – they exchanged the truth about God for a lie. To the rebellious heart, God gave them over to their perversions (still in Romans chapter one) – they had no shame, and no limits to their shame because God gave them over to their sin. And to the church that glories in the perversions of man, God says He will not listen to their prayers (Isa 1:15; Jer 7:4,16). “Woe to them, for they have brought evil on themselves.” [v 9b NASB]
We reap what we sow: “Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him.” [v 10-11 NASB] In the midst of God’s judgment, He gives encouragement to those who follow Him to continue in their walk because they will reap a good reward. While those who chase evil will find their doom. Somehow, Isaiah’s words fail to translate into the modern mantra of “God hates sin but loves the sinner.”
Looking for freedom, they became slaves to oppression. Isaiah said women ruled over them and they were oppressed by children (v 12) – or the foolish and immature. The role of man was debased – leadership was abandoned to feelings and self-esteem. Real men could not be found. He finishes this verse, “Those who guide you lead you astray and confuse the direction of your paths.” [v 12b NASB] As in ancient Judah, so today we are confused. The truth is made to sound judgmental, arrogant and hateful and the lie is broadcast as love and compassion. We struggle to understand the meaning of the word “is” while lawmakers pass oppressive legislation so we can “see what is in the bill.” Meanwhile, we have leaders professing faith in Christ who openly mock the truths of the Scriptures and even the words of Christ Himself. Jesus said “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” [Joh 8:31-32 ESV] Like Solomon said, “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Pro 1:7)” But what was the Jews answer to Christ? “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” [Joh 8:33 ESV]
So, back to the people of Isaiah: the people refused to reason with God (Isa 1:18) and they have suffered calamity upon calamity and oppression upon oppression. Now, God takes His place in court to judge the people (v 13). He enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of the people – and then the women – and then the men (v 14-4:1).
Black’s Law Dictionary defines entering judgments as, “the formal entry of the judgment on the rolls or records of the court.” This is “necessary before bringing an appeal or an action on the judgment.” The entry of the judgment is further defined as, “recording of it in the judgment book.” So, God has written it in the Book of Judgments but there is no appeal – only an action upon the judgment – His action. He is the LORD of hosts.
The leaders were judged for devouring the vineyard – they scooped up everything that man produced. “The plunder of the poor is in your houses.” [v 14 NASB] No wonder the people were poor, they were taxed out of all they produced. In the next verse, God accuses them of “crushing My people” and “grinding the face of the poor.” Having already taxed them to poverty, the wealthy leaders have regulated them to eliminate any commercial competition. This is may have had a lot to do with verse one, “removing supply and support.”
God can destroy an economy with natural disaster, enemy invasion – or the people’s own greed. Isaiah said that neighbors oppressed each other (v 5). We see this even today, having lost our foundation for law, we have laws for everything – we clamor to write legislation, in the name of consumer protection or some other rationalization, which limits the ability of small companies – or poor people – to enter into the marketplace. We want to license every venture and regulate the where and how of enterprise. And, slowly we are losing supply and support. Upon this, our leaders build their empires and God says He has entered a judgment against them.
What is the judgment against the leaders? Isaiah has already declared they will be removed and stripped of their honor. They will be killed and the social structure they were proud of will disappear. Chapter fourteen of Isaiah gives an account of the rebellious leaders of the world meeting Satan in hell. They will be horrified when the one they honored and followed has become like them – debased and eaten by worms. As Christians, we can be certain the One we glorify and follow, the One we enjoy and look forward to enjoying forever, will be even more great and glorious than our hearts and minds can even imagine. We will not be disappointed.
The judgment doesn’t stop there. The next word is “moreover.” This means the judge is still writing the judgment.
This moreover has to do with the women. While men chase after vanity, it is typically the women who attend to family – the raising of the children – the raising of the next generation. But what have these women been doing? Isaiah describes them as proud, seducing with their eyes and their dainty steps and fancy jewelry. What is their judgment? First, their hair will no longer be their glory because it will be replaced with scabs. Second, all their adornment will be gone. The clothing and adornments they used to seduce and add to their glory will all be gone. Third, they will be outfitted for captivity – or slavery. They will stink; they will be tied with ropes; their hair will be plucked out; they will wear rags and sackcloth; and they will be marked with a branding iron. Fourth, their men – even their mighty men of battle – will fall by the sword.
Society will be in disarray – what little is left. There will be so few men, that seven women will take hold of a man and offer to supply their own food and clothing – just so they will not be left disgraced and alone. This will not be a day of prosperity.
The day came for Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar led thousands captive to Babylon. The final chapters of the Book of Second Chronicles give the account of the fall and dispersion. Jeremiah gives the account of the disarray and despair of the remnant that remained. Isaiah wrote this account as a warning to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. But his words are also a warning for us today. When we see the course of our affairs traveling parallel with those of the people in Scripture, we can only assume our doom and judgment may take a similar direction.
A common saying is, “It is never too late to repent.” That’s not what the Bible says. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” [Heb 3:15 ESV]
With this bright fuschia purse on your arm this summer, how could you be anything less than sensational? It has a dazzling bling in the center surrounded by an elegant multiplicity of ruffles and bows. An almost hobo-like style that will allow you to carry all of your essentials in its numerous compartments (traveling this summer? Or maybe a full day shopping with friends?) while still remaining completely feminine. Honestly, who wouldn’t be envious of that?
