Isaiah 3:1-4:1
Read Isaiah 3:1-4:1
Let’s revisit our story arc to visualize where we are in Isaiah:
This passage goes into the detail of Judah’s choices, which led to their own judgment. Verses 8-9 are foundational to understanding why Judah sinned as it did. Not only did they defy the glorious presence of God (3:8), but they proclaimed their sin and celebrated it. They had no shame and no guilt regarding the wickedness they participated in. Motyer commented on this passage,
“Sin is no longer sin, it is the new morality. Thus it is that societies collapse” (64).
This was the state of Judah for a long time before judgment came. The Lord, in His great mercy, waited with long suffering for His people to return, but they never did.
In the beginning of this passage Isaiah called out the weak and ill-prepared men who had become leaders of Judah and Jerusalem. A child or baby would have led the people in a greater way than the pathetic men in leadership (3:4-5). The women of Judah, on the other hand, were called out for their obsession over external appearance. Scripture says they walked with their necks outstretched (3:16), meaning they were deeply arrogant and prideful. The women weren’t called out for having pretty clothes or nose rings or perfume; they were called out for their whole-hearted fixation on these things. Some scholars have interpreted this passage to mean the women specifically wanted sexual attention from men, so they did whatever it took to gain that. Regardless if it was for sexual attention or not, their hearts lusted after earthly treasures. Because of their pride, Isaiah illustrates quite the contrast from 3:16-23 and 3:24-26. All the beautiful would be replaced with rottenness, rope, baldness, sackcloth, and even death.
So, there were weak male leaders and women obsessed with themselves in Judah. We’ve heard of this pattern throughout history, haven’t we? You can see how the enemy has been twisting God’s intended purposes for men and women for centuries. The way God designed humanity was beautiful and specific to the two genders; men are called to be strong leaders and women get to reflect the beauty of the Lord. We will not get into the matter of gender roles, but I do believe it’s worth noting that Judah was struggling in a way cultures continue to struggle today. How many strong and godly male leaders do you know? How many women obsess over their weight, their hair, their waist size, their looks, and so on? I can think of just a handful of men who I’d consider to be strong, godly leaders. I can think of countless women who constantly think of outward appearances, myself included.
The effect of sin is costly and the enemy is doing everything he can to keep us from living in the way God designed for us to live.
Journaling Questions:
Did anything stand out to you in this reading?
What do you learn about God’s character by reading this passage?
For men reading this, spend time using the Word of God to reflect on how you lead. Are you leading those around you from a place of the Lord’s strength?
For women reading this, spend time using the Word of God to reflect on how you view yourself externally. I want you to know that God designed you to reflect His beauty, so how does that truth change the way you think about external beauty?
Are there any sins in your life that you proclaim and celebrate rather than repent from and bring to the Lord?
