Isaiah 3:1-12
Summary for Isa 3:1-12: 3:1-12 a These verses continue the subject of judgment against Israel’s leadership (see 1:23-25 b). The removal of leadership at all levels would allow the mob to gain control. Chaos and famine would turn Judah and Jerusalem into a social wasteland. 3:1 c take away ... bread ... water: God had long ago warned of famine, with its horrible conditions that sometimes led to desperate acts, as one possible judgment for wickedness (Lev 26:26-29 d).Summary for Isa 3:2-3: 3:2-3 e Regardless of their status, all military, civil, judicial, and religious leaders would be removed in the day of judgment (39:7 f; 2 Kgs 24:14-16 g). God would eventually give his people good leaders again (Isa 1:26 h) but not diviners and others who used pagan forms of revelation (47:9 i, 12-13 j; see Deut 18:10-12 k).
3:4 l Conditions would be so severe that boys and toddlers would qualify as candidates for office. By this, Isaiah either meant that adult leaders would be so decimated that only children would be left alive to assume the role or simply that the new leaders would be as immature, unwise, strong willed, and inexperienced as children.
Summary for Isa 3:6-7: 3:6-7 m Things would be so bad (a heap of ruins) that no one would want to take leadership. The people would become so desperate that anyone providing food or clothes (3:7 n) could be the leader of the people. In fact, however, no one would have food or clothing (see 4:1 o).
Summary for Isa 3:8-9: 3:8-9 p The failure of human strength and societal organization can be a form of divine judgment.
• to his face: The people of Judah had become bold in their wickedness like the people of Sodom (3:9 q; see also 1:9-10 r).
3:9 s The very look on their faces: At this time people boldly displayed their rebellion against God.
3:10 t The godly—the righteous remnant—will receive God’s rewards (see 40:10 u).
3:11 v The wicked who practice and execute injustice will receive God’s just punishment.
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