The Parallels Are Staggering

Commentary

Prior to this time, God had brought judgment upon the northern kingdom of Israel by way of the Assyrians. Now His attention turned to the southern kingdom of Judah.

God warned, through Isaiah, that all they knew to be normal, all of the security and comfort they had come to expect, would be fading away. Not only would food and water become an issue, but righteous leaders, strong military, and just judges would be no more.

We can look at our own countries in this present time, especially Western countries that have made up the majority of Christendom for the last 2,000 years, and what we see are societies in free fall. The securities we have come to know and enjoy so much are dissolving away at a frighteningly rapid pace.

As we’ll see in our study of this portion of Isaiah 3, these verses serve as a sort of blueprint for God’s judgment upon a nation. As we study what happened to Judah, let us look at our own countries and see the parallels. May we understand just how serious this time we live in truly is and how important it is to be in fellowship with Jesus.

Commentary

Wickedness Throughout

Judah’s once prosperous society would eventually fall apart. Many wicked kings ruled it over the decades and got the Jewish people to worship idols. In their rebellion, they would get the government officials they deserved. Wicked and corrupt, unqualified, and oppressive people. In verse 4, these rulers are described as “unstable”, which literally could also be translated “mischief-makers”.

What kind of leaders are we seeing today? Are we seeing those who are unstable and unqualified? Sadly, the answer is yes. What else are we witnessing in our societies? Are we seeing the behavior described in verse 5 today? Of course, we are.

Understand, this level of societal decay does not come overnight but over decades of abandonment of Jesus and His commandments. Listen, all we need to do is look to Scripture to see how this situation progresses. Any nation whose first love is not Jesus will eventually crumble under its own moral decay.

Just observe the culture of death the West has embraced, which has brought about the worst day-to-day violence and mental health crisis we’ve known in America. One that is rooted in poor spiritual health due to the removal of Jesus from every aspect of life.

As believers, we face a tough road, but we must preach the Gospel and stand against wickedness until the Lord calls us home.

Commentary

Desperation Sets In

God promised Judah would become so bad as a result that people would long for anyone to become their leader. Someone, anyone who might somehow be an improvement over their current leaders.

This is a hopelessness that we’re witnessing now among our neighbors, friends, co-workers, and family members. As our leaders have become more and more wicked, there is a desperation for anyone who will be better. The danger of this is falling for deception and the masses embracing a leader who appears to be just what is needed, but instead is worse than before.

We’ve seen this scenario play out in history before, and it will ultimately play out at the end when so many in the world will embrace Antichrist, thinking he will solve the world’s problems.

The lesson here is to turn to Jesus because there is no hope without Him. Had those in Judah done that, they’d have never faced God’s judgment on their nation. The same can be said for the world today. But ultimately, we know, from Scripture, that will not happen on a global scale.

Commentary

Sin Front and Center

Here we read what God’s charge was against them. Their sin and rebellion were so great that they had become like Sodom. Pride had saturated every facet of life. A nation of people who once honored the Lord had now fallen so badly into spiritual decay that secret sin wasn’t enough. Open sin and pride filled the land. The masses turned to idol worship and all that came with it.

What countries today does this remind you of? I’m sure you thought of a few or many, but I can tell you it’s every single one. We’re witnessing not only a decay at national levels but globally.

This world wears its sexual sin, its lust for money, and corrupt power grabs like a banner across its torso. We’re living in a mega-sized Romans 1:22-32 world.

Commentary

Judgment Brings Justice

This study is undoubtedly heavy. This is not an easy topic to discuss, especially when we are living through the throes of it ourselves. Through reprieves can come with a corporate repentance of believers, it usually only delays the inevitable, because the moral decay has taken too much of a hold. As believers, we can relate to the saints of that time, like Isaiah, who had to watch their country rot away, while he walked with the Lord.

But take heart, verse 10 brings us much-welcomed news. No matter what our days, weeks, years, and decades may hold, for us who love Jesus, it will go well. This is not to say we won’t suffer tribulation in this world, but unlike the unsaved, we have Jesus with us, blessing and protecting, seeing each one of us through. Let us never forget this wonderful promise!

We can also rest assured that God will repay the wicked back for what they have done. We must pray for them and hope their hearts change for Jesus, but if they don’t, they will not get away with anything, though it may seem they do now.