Isaiah 3 UNFAITHFUL LEADERS – UNHEEDING PEOPLE When the effects of sin become so widespread that it is accepted and commonplace, the time will come when justice exposes sin for what it is. Judgment will then begin at the house of God even though there may be the appearance of religious holiness and success in “church life.” Idolatry of whatever kind it is, will become obvious and the worldliness among those who claim to be God’s people will bring chastening. The fallen condition of those who go their own way will bring the reward of evil for evil. Most people are not aware of how a vain empty show will be mocked and rejected in a person or even in a religious group.
Isaiah chapter three is a description of Jerusalem “being trodden down” by the Gentile nations beginning with the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar. The whole population was humbled and chastened as judgment promised became judgment accomplished. The support of food and rainfall was taken away and famine came. All the responsible leaders we taken away and children and childish unqualified people took control. The whole leadership was counterfeit because those in the position of leaders were not only unqualified, but were incapable of leading the people.
Isaiah warned that the capital city of Jerusalem would be ruined even before it happened. His prophecies took place just like he said. The Lord can see right through outward sham and hypocrisy to what is really the root problem of sin and why people take to sin like a duck takes to water. Time after time Jerusalem has been destroyed and brought to ruins and rubble. Time after time it has been rebuilt. A foreshadowing of things yet to come took place in 1948 when the Jews became a nation again though not recognized by many nations around them. In 1956 and again in 1967 there was great rejoicing when much of Jerusalem was returned to Jewish leadership. Quite a lot of the promised land is now under that leadership, but this is not the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.
The people of Israel are like the majority of the people of the world today. They have a form of religion, whether it be Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam or atheism. There is no slacking from the busy pursuit of sinful pleasure and sinful success. National destruction will come on the nation and the righteous will survive, but the end of the wicked will be bad. Isaiah warned that because of departure from the Lord, the departure of Judah and Jerusalem would be like what happened to the northern ten tribes that has been dispersed in the world until they are unrecognizable as a unique people. The Lord took away from them that which they took for granted, and gave them that which they deserved.
When the incompetent and degenerate people, and the children, rule a society, the time will come when the Lord takes over to carry out justice. It is in the nature of God to be just and deal fairly. He has implanted in the minds of every person the desire for fairness, but most only want it for themselves. When leaders ignore justice and deal unfairly with those for whom they are responsible, poor and oppressed people suffer. The worship of the Lord is hindered. God regards the plight of the poor because they are usually the ones who call upon Him for help and comfort. In faith they look to the One who is waiting for such a call.
When sin is taken for granted and becomes normal practice in a person, church or nation, a just payday is certain to come. Leaders who lead people astray and treat those under their authority as if they are of little or no account, will find they are up against God. He has made them “ministers of righteousness.” They are not intended to be those who mislead, mistreat and malign those who follow them and even disagree with them. Flippant disregard for dignity, integrity and honesty will be exposed for what it really is. Even Jerusalem, the city, became like a flirting woman, full of vain, self-centered impressions of herself. People often are only taken up with what they look like outwardly, but the inward person will ultimately be exposed as a proud, covetous, narcissistic person who can’t be trusted. There will be just judgment on the population of a city of people who think “When we go, wisdom will die with us.” Those who glory in themselves will have no recourse and will be made desolate. Such arrogance will be exposed like a woman stripped of all her jewelry, fine garments and revealed as an unclean sinner. When all the finery is gone, that which is left to see is nothing at all of value.
In Isaiah’s prophecy, he told the people they will be led away as captives tied to a rope, unkempt, covered in burlap and shame, instead of glory. They will leave an abhorrent scent instead of perfume. They will be wearing a slave’s brand instead of beauty. There will be nothing left of the city to look at except rubble.
However, in a future day yet to come, a new day of return to morality, justice and peace will bring back glory to Jerusalem. The Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ, will sit on David’s throne carrying out justice as the final authority over every matter. How wonderful it is for us who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and know Him personally as our Savior and Lord, to be able to experience kingdom blessings now! We are able to “Rejoice in the Lord always,” when by faith we live for Him who is our life! We are with Him now, and will be with Him forever as a result of the eternal life we have been given by God when we trusted the Lord Jesus alone for our salvation.