Isaiah on Tuesday - Judgment

This week Isaiah lays out a prophecy and judgment against Israel and Judah. Chapter 3:1-12 starts out with a declaration: "See now, the Lord, the LORD Almighty, is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support..." Isaiah then lays out all the things that will be removed from the Israelites as He lifts his favor from them - physical protection (hero and warrior), legal infrastructure (prophets and judges), authority ( mere children will govern them), artisans and sages.

It would appear that the entire infrastructure that sustained and protected Israel is losing its foundation as those who serve the needs of the people become impotent, ineffectual and lost. As the hearts of the people turn away from God and to their own creations and desires, they find themselves at a loss for direction. As the infrastructure crumbles and as their focus turns to themselves they not only forsake God but each other: "People will oppress each other— man against man, neighbor against neighbor. The young will rise up against the old, the base against the honorable." (v. 5) In place of unity comes division, in place of peace strife.

I am reminded of Jesus' prayer from John 17 (see last week's Wednesday's Big Idea) He prays that all those who believe in Him may "be one." One major consequence of sin is division among people and Isaiah spells that out graphically. As we hide from God, we are divided from Him and as we are divided from God, so we become divided from each other. This division leads to a downward spiral of sin: oppression, rebellion, conflict. This is also in stark contrast to Isaiah chapter 2 where peace comes to all nations as they stream to "the mountain of the Lord's temple." Those nations come under the authority and worship of God, He settles their disputes and they will not "train for war anymore."

Israel not only divides itself from God, but they hide from Him as well (think Adam and Eve in the Garden...) This phrase is stunning to me " their words and deeds are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence." (verse 8) His presence is among them, yet they defy it seeking darkness instead of light, the grotesque instead of the glorious. Defiance brings to mind open rebellion, refusing to submit to his authority and instead attempting to create their own. Yet, as we see above now they not only have lost the authority of God, but they have no authority themselves. Chaos reigns in their midst as they thrash about looking for someone to follow.

Isaiah then provides some comfort for those whose hearts are pure: "Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds." In other words, you reap what you sow. God is just and so is Hisjudgmentt. For a large swath of the nation His judgment is against them, but there are some of whom His judgment is for. The lesson for us is clear - God desires our affection and wants us to submit to His authority. We have a choice in the matter, but choosing to turn away from Him will ultimately lead to hidden and divided lives. The division may not be as massive as Isaiah lays out, but then again the wars and division we see in the world now seem at least as bad if not worse. Like it or not, this disease only has one cure.

Next time, Isaiah lowers his sites on the rulers of Israel and cries out for justice for the poor.