Reflection on Isaiah 3

Chapter 3 is a bitter chapter for Judah. It is a prophecy given to Isaiah regarding strategic destruction of Judah. Although it is a sad story, I find it interesting to see how calculated God's judgement can be. We often think of judgement as a fire and brimstone eschatological judgement, but in this chapter we see the fury of God's judgement being poured out even through realities that we can relate to even clearer.

1. What do you imagine God's judgment to look like? Did this chapter change any of your assumptions?

God's strategy of Juda's judgment was said to take place in the following order:

1.) The removal of food and water, which means great starvation and thirst (v.1).

2.) Weakened military forces and communal intelligence, which made them vulnerable to any attack (v.2-3).

4.) The Abandoning of key leadership positions, which leads to a lack of accountability (v.4-7)

5.) A confused socioeconomic system with the powerless now oppressing the powerful, and the wicked dealt the same treatment that they themselves had used to mistreat the poor (v.10-15). 

6.)The shame of flirtatious women, which takes their beauty away (v.16-17).

7.) All prized possessions stolen, to later replaced with shameful qualities (v.18-24)

8.) And lastly a military attack that leaves many dead, and the protective gates of the city broken wide open leaving them vulnerable to future attacks (v.25-26).

2. What are some of the social effects that may not be mentioned but would happen if these 8 judgements were poured out on your country?

Lastly, Isaiah not only foretells the disaster planned for judah, but he also explains exactly why it will happen. One reason is because “their speech and their deeds were against the LORD," which "defy His glorious presence" (V. 8). Another reason that Judah “brought judgment on themselves” (v.9) was because they were unrepentant and sinned boldly and openly, which Isaiah compares to the unrepentant hearts of Sodom when the Lord destroyed that city along with Gamora (Genesis 19).

3. What consequences for sin have you experienced, and how has those consequences compelled you to change your behavior?

Between wrath and mercy God leans toward mercy, but when we are not repentant and blinded by pride to try and justify our sin, God may teach us a hard lesson. And although Isaiah 3 does not end happily for Judah, because it is a prophecy it would have given them a warning that should have caused them to repent. It should also stand as a warning to us today, in that although we are far from perfect, when we sin we should repent to avoid angering God.

You are welcome to pray this prayer with me:

LORD our God,

I thank you for being so gracious and patient with me. You warn me about future trouble by your wisdom, and I praise you for those warnings. Help me Lord, I do not want to take your convictions for granted, I do not want to experience trouble that could have been avoided. A wise person heeds instruction, so help me to be wise and not foolish. Help me to appreciate how merciful you truly are, by acting on the convictions that your Spirit places on my heart. Help to be confident in you, for you lead me on the paths of righteousness for the sake of your Holy Name. Have your way in me, O God, so that I can do what is pleasing in your sight. In Jesus Name, Amen!