Isaiah: Empty Thrones. Hollow Hearts.

Isaiah 3-4

Everything crumbles. Your world falls apart. Stability and security vanish. Can you imagine that experience? Sometimes, circumstances beyond our control shake our worlds. Other times, we bring it upon ourselves when we rebel against God and allow pride to replace humility. Yet, even in self-inflicted chaos, hope remains. God is always guiding us toward renewal.

In Isaiah 2, God warned Judah that judgment was coming and explained the “Why?” Now, in Isaiah 3, he describes the “What?” One hundred years before Babylon would attack Jerusalem, God graciously informed the people of what was coming, giving them time to turn from their sins.

On his chosen day, the Lord God of hosts—literally, “the Lord of Heaven’s Armies”—will move against Judah to judge their continued rebellion. He will allow the Babylonian army to besiege Judah, cutting off their food and water supply (Isa. 3:1). On that day, the strong leaders—the mighty men, soldiers, judges, and prophets—will fall (Isa. 3:2-3). God will replace them with inexperienced leaders who have no idea what they are doing (Isa. 3:4-5). The times will be so chaotic that some leaders will be chosen simply because they have a cloak (Isa. 3:6-7). God says:

Isaiah 3:8
“For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.” 

God graciously chose Israel as his people. Throughout Israel's prolonged history, his love, protection, and provision have tangibly demonstrated his “glorious presence.” Yet despite all that God has done for them, “their deeds are against the Lord.” The Hebrew text states that the nation rebelled “against the eyes of his majesty.”^[1] Like Sodom and Gomorrah before them, “they do not hide [their sins]” and “have brought evil on themselves” (Isa. 3:9). However, some have remained righteous, and God always protects his people. God tells Isaiah to inform “the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds” (Isa 3:10).

It “shall be well with” the righteous, but “it shall be ill” with the wicked. The Lord will judge the evildoers for how they treat others. They have “devoured the vineyard” (Isa. 3:14). Like a vineyard keeper who has not cared for the vines, the leaders of Israel have neglected the people. God declared, “What do you mean by crushing my people, by grinding the face of the poor?” (Isa. 3:15).

The women of Judah prominently demonstrated the demise of Israel’s culture and their proud rebellion against God. Here’s how God describes them:

Isaiah 3:16-17
The LORD said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet, therefore the Lord will strike with a scab, the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will lay bare their secret parts. 

The impending siege will be devastating. God will strip away all the finery of the wealthy, including their pendants, bracelets, and rings. (See Isa. 3:18-23 for a comprehensive list of the finery.) God makes it clear that he knows precisely what is happening. Continued sin will lead to destruction.

Isaiah 3:24-4:1
Instead of perfume there will be rottenness; and instead of a belt, a rope; and instead of well-set hair, baldness; and instead of a rich robe, a skirt of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty. Your men shall fall by the sword and your mighty men in battle. And her gates shall lament and mourn; empty, she shall sit on the ground. And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, “We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name; take away our reproach.

What a grim image of societal collapse! Everything they cherished would be destroyed. Women would outnumber men, a dire consequence of war. Judah had ample time to repent, as the Babylonian takeover was still one hundred years away. God’s Word was filled with urgency, yet they did not act to confess their sins and turn to him!

First, most listeners didn’t believe Isaiah or other prophets. Who wants to listen to doomsday messengers constantly speaking of impending disaster? The people in Judah were preoccupied with their lives and didn’t want Isaiah interfering. Honestly, we are no different. As we read our Bibles, the Lord reveals areas where we are often complacent. In those moments, how seriously do we consider God’s Word? 

Second, they were rebels at heart, desiring to be their own gods. Here again, we are called to evaluate our hearts. Do we act as if we can live in opposition to God without facing consequences, even when Scripture clearly and insistently emphasizes our need to change? 

Third, Isaiah wrote his prophecy one hundred years before Babylon’s victory over Judah. Those who heard God’s Word spoken by Isaiah lived with their sins and passed the devastating consequences on to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The people of Isaiah’s day died with their wealth—collections of pendants, bracelets, and rings. Yet, because of their rebellion, one day the Babylonians would take those heirlooms from the arms and fingers of their descendants. I find that sobering. We must never forget that how we live today matters for tomorrow. 

Isaiah closes this section with a promise of restoration (4:2-6). Despite the judgment, God will provide a blessing. Isaiah explains, “In that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel. And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy… (Isa. 4:2-3). Many believe “the branch of the Lord” in this passage refers to the righteous remnant spoken of in Isaiah 3:10. Others believe “the branch of the Lord” refers to Jesus and his reign during the millennial kingdom (See Jer. 23:5; 33:15; and Zech. 3:8 where the “Branch” refers to the Messiah). Whether this section refers to the righteous remnant being protected in Isaiah’s day or during the millennial kingdom, the mark of those remaining in Israel will be holiness (Isa. 4:3-4), and God’s glory will be evident in Jerusalem (Isa. 4:5-6).

Our Anchor Point from today’s reading is Isaiah 3:10.

Isaiah 3:10
Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds. 

In every generation, God raises people who choose to walk closely with him. They don’t mindlessly follow the crowd or cave to the pressures of culture. Instead, they fight the quiet, daily battle to say “yes” to the Spirit and “no” to the pull of pride, pleasure, and self. And when they stumble—because we all do—they run back to God, not away from him. They confess, repent, and let his grace wash over them. Their lives reflect the beauty of his presence—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). And through his Word, God whispers a promise that steadies the soul:“It shall be well with [you].”

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Isaiah 3. Focus on our Anchor Point: Isaiah 3:10.

Talking to God: Ask God to help you see the urgency of his instruction. Ask him to help you see that what you do today matters for tomorrow.

Job Zoom Call Tomorrow
On Monday, May 5 at 7:00 pm, we will meet on a Zoom call to review what we learned in Job and answer questions. Information and a link to join the call will be included in the May 5 devotion email.

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Outline of Isaiah

Theme: The Salvation (deliverance) of the Lord

I. Condemnation—(1–39)

1. Sermons against Judah and Israel—(1–12)
2. Burdens of Judgment against the Gentiles—(13–23)
3. Songs about Future Glory—(24–27)
4. Woes of Coming Judgment from Assyria—(28–35)
5. Historical Interlude—(36–39)

a. Hezekiah delivered from Assyria—(36–37)
b. Hezekiah deceived by Babylon—(37–38)

II. Consolation—(40–66)

1. God’s Greatness—(40–48) (The Father vs. idols)
2. God’s Grace—(49–57) (The Son, God’s Servant)
3. God’s Glory—(58–66) (The Spirit and the kingdom)^[2]