Remain Strong (Isaiah 3)

 In chapter 3, Isaiah is trying to show them what will become of Judah if they continue in their godless ways. There would be famine, desperation, food shortages, and there wouldn’t be adequate leaders to guide them. Verse 4 in several versions has “I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.” One way God can show judgement to the nation is by giving them rulers who have no idea what they are doing. This can cause a breakdown in society, in morals and ethics, in manners and learned behaviors. Isaiah predicts if their ways continue, children would start being “bold toward their elder,” because they have no rules to tell them otherwise. 

Isaiah says Judah is falling because of its ways, because of the way they choose to speak and act are against the ways that God has taught them. They no longer hide their sin, but commit it as openly as Sodom. God promises those people will have their judgement, and they will suffer his wrath because of their choices. 

Isaiah 3:10 reminds us that those who choose to follow God will be fine when the world comes to judgement: Happy the just, for it will be well with them, the fruit of their works they will eat. Even in judgement, God will bless his people. 

Though this one verse can bring some comfort in the whole doom and gloom of the chapter, we should not let ourselves fall into pride because we follow God. We must not let ourselves fall asleep thinking we are safe, because the evils are all around ready to try to sneak into our lives. To try to pull us away from our light. The rest of the chapter shows that those who are doing evil think they are just! They are fooled into thinking that their sins are ok. And they coerce others into following their lead. We must always be awake in the word, ready to stand firm against the world. We must honor God with our whole hearts, and not be caught up with how much earthly things we have. God can so quickly take everything away. Remember dear friends, it doesn’t matter who is leading what office. The true leader, our true king, is God alone.