Isaiah 3
Today's Passage: Isaiah 3
Isaiah begins chapter 3 calling God the Lord God of hosts. This name emphasizes God as the powerful leader of heavenly armies. God rightfully possesses and practices authority over all people and things, and He has decided to take away support and supply from the people.
Judah and Jerusalem have lost sight of who God is and have grown comfortable with feeding their idols. In God taking away His support and supply, the heart of the people is fully exposed.
They are not hiding or ashamed of their sin in any way, but they proclaim their sin like one of the worst cities in history - Sodom. At all levels, Judah and Jerusalem have chosen wickedness. They have chosen to disregard God, and live as a pagan nation.
God is rightfully judge. Sometimes, we see the fruit of that judgment here on earth, but regardless, we will see his judgment. It is not a question of if, but when. In this passage, we begin to see how God is going to judge Judah and Jerusalem for their unfaithfulness and sin. In deciding to live as a pagan nation, God is going to hand them over to the pagan nations they have chosen to mirror.
This nation was meant to be a picture of God’s character. This nation was meant to reflect the image of God, but instead they turned from God in terrible ways. God was handing them over to their idols, making their outward circumstances reflect the inward state of their heart.
The last verse of chapter 3 says “and her gates shall lament and mourn; empty, she shall sit on the ground.” The punishment of Judah and Jerusalem feels both just and appaling. I sit overwhelmed thinking that they could exchange the truth for a lie, and I am met with quick correction and conviction - I too have made my idols and proclaimed my sin. I have asked for enslavement and lamented at justice.
Reading this passage makes me wonder “What can be done?” When wickedness is rampant and sin crouches ready to consume, what can be done?
There is one verse in chapter 3 that has a different tone than the rest - verse 10. “Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds.” The word righteous jumps off the page.
This passage reminds me of my own unrighteousness, but leaves a glimmer of hope, that the same God who righteously judges Judah and Jerusalem will judge me. However, I do not need to fear his judgment because I am covered by Christ’s righteousness. This is not what I deserve, this is grace.
Do you fear God’s judgment? How have you proclaimed your sin or relied on the things of this world? How are you trusting Christ’s righteousness and how have you taken advantage of it?
Written By: Paulette Black
Isaiah begins chapter 3 calling God the Lord God of hosts. This name emphasizes God as the powerful leader of heavenly armies. God rightfully possesses and practices authority over all people and things, and He has decided to take away support and supply from the people.
Judah and Jerusalem have lost sight of who God is and have grown comfortable with feeding their idols. In God taking away His support and supply, the heart of the people is fully exposed.
They are not hiding or ashamed of their sin in any way, but they proclaim their sin like one of the worst cities in history - Sodom. At all levels, Judah and Jerusalem have chosen wickedness. They have chosen to disregard God, and live as a pagan nation.
God is rightfully judge. Sometimes, we see the fruit of that judgment here on earth, but regardless, we will see his judgment. It is not a question of if, but when. In this passage, we begin to see how God is going to judge Judah and Jerusalem for their unfaithfulness and sin. In deciding to live as a pagan nation, God is going to hand them over to the pagan nations they have chosen to mirror.
This nation was meant to be a picture of God’s character. This nation was meant to reflect the image of God, but instead they turned from God in terrible ways. God was handing them over to their idols, making their outward circumstances reflect the inward state of their heart.
The last verse of chapter 3 says “and her gates shall lament and mourn; empty, she shall sit on the ground.” The punishment of Judah and Jerusalem feels both just and appaling. I sit overwhelmed thinking that they could exchange the truth for a lie, and I am met with quick correction and conviction - I too have made my idols and proclaimed my sin. I have asked for enslavement and lamented at justice.
Reading this passage makes me wonder “What can be done?” When wickedness is rampant and sin crouches ready to consume, what can be done?
There is one verse in chapter 3 that has a different tone than the rest - verse 10. “Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds.” The word righteous jumps off the page.
This passage reminds me of my own unrighteousness, but leaves a glimmer of hope, that the same God who righteously judges Judah and Jerusalem will judge me. However, I do not need to fear his judgment because I am covered by Christ’s righteousness. This is not what I deserve, this is grace.
Do you fear God’s judgment? How have you proclaimed your sin or relied on the things of this world? How are you trusting Christ’s righteousness and how have you taken advantage of it?
Written By: Paulette Black
1 Comment
Very well said Paulette! We serve a righteous Judge who corrects unrighteous believers. But praise God, for He sees His Son's shed blood that covers our sinful nature. Thank you Jesus for your mercy and wonderful grace.