JUDAH TO BE PUNISHED WITH ANARCHY. The date is uncertain. That it was early in the reign of Ahaz is a dubious inference from Isaiah 3:12. The pillars of society will be removed, and control will thus be thrown into the hands of young, inexperienced upstarts. Social distinctions will be swept away, a... [ Continue Reading ]
YAHWEH JUDGES THE RULERS. Probably an independent oracle, presumably, though not certainly, uttered early in Isaiah's career. Yahweh has taken up the cause of the wronged, and calls elders and princes to account. They are the keepers of the vineyard (Isaiah 5:1), but they have abused their position... [ Continue Reading ]
ISAIAH 3:16 TO ISAIAH 4:1. THE LUXURIOUS LADIES OF JERUSALEM AND THEIR DOOM. As Amos attacked the women of Samaria for their luxury, made possible through the oppression of the poor (Amos 4:1), so Isaiah assails the luxury and haughtiness of the women. These West-end ladies, disdainful and affected,... [ Continue Reading ]