Isaiah 3-4

Isaiah 3-4


Perspective: How do we know when a nation is under God's judgment? How do we know when there is an absence of Godly leadership?




The Israelites were rebelling against God (Isaiah 3:8-11)
They were not ashamed. In fact, they paraded around in their sin (Isaiah 3:9)


Therefore, God will remove supply and support from Jerusalem and Judah.


What's the result of this? Great famine.


- Famine of food and water (Isaiah 3:1)


- Famine of a thriving economy


- Famine of leadership: No judges, no prophets, no spiritual leaders


- Famine of courageous men (Isaiah 3:2-3): lack of solid military power


- Famine of righteous men (Isaiah 3:2-3): No elders, no counselors, no advisers


Example: Jethro helped Moses delegate abilities (Exodus 18). Jethro was a wise counselor to Moses. Counselors like Jethro do not exist in a godless society.


Without God's guidance, leadership becomes incompetent, unethical, ungodly (Isaiah 3:4-5).


For the Israelites, the situation got so abysmal, no one wants to lead. Even those who are remotely capable, they would refuse to lead (Isaiah 3:6-7).


As if this is not bad enough, there is something worse: 


Amos 8:11
"The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD, "when I will send a famine through the land--not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD."


The Israelites were so idolatrous, they would rather be entertained by "clever enchanters," for example, than to return to God (Isaiah 3:3).


Deuteronomy 18:10-12
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practice the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you.


God clearly says we should not be affiliated with sorcery and other idolatrous things, but one thing that will truly bring God's judgment is the oppression of His people (Isaiah 3:12). Leaders of Israelites were supposed to guide them in a godly manner, instead, they not only turned away from God, they led others astray with them as well (Isaiah 3:12)


God will judge the Israelites for their sin, but He will not tolerate nations or leaders taking advantage of His people (especially the poor, the helpless, the needy) (Isaiah 3:13-15)


Due to corrupted leadership, God's people were worked to death just so the corrupted leaders could buy frivolous anklets for their concubines (Isaiah 3:16).


Taking advantage of and exploiting the children and widows for the luxuries of themselves and wives are the quickest ways to stir God's anger.


On a side note, women who try to define their beauty by exterior adornments, well, beauty should not come from the outside but inside.


1 Peter 3:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentile and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.


Because of how far the Israelites have strayed, God pronounced judgment. To the women who were haughty, He said their heads would bald and be full of sores (Isaiah 3:17). Interestingly, when the Babylonians overtook the Israelites, they shaved the women bald.


When the day of judgment came (Isaiah 3:18-26), things would become desolate: fragrance will turn to stench; well-dressed hair to baldness; fine clothing to sackcloth; beauty to branding. Men entering battles will fail; so many men would die that there won't be enough men to marry the women (Isaiah 4:1). Things had to get this bad before the Israelites would finally abandon their ways and cry out to God, "Take away our disgrace!" (Isaiah 4:1)


God will restore Israel (Isaiah 4)


When the Israelites finally realize the error of their ways and return to God, God will restore Israel to its former glory and so much more.


The "Branch of the LORD" is Jesus, and through Jesus, Israel will be restored. God will wash away all the filth and cleanse all bloodstains. The house of God will be a shelter and refuge for His people.