Isaiah 3:1-26

Isaiah: God controls the nations

Isaiah declares how God’s people should be living

Isaiah Chapter s 1 to 9

Norman Hillyer

Chapter 3

Despair in *Jerusalem

v1 See what the *Lord (commander of heaven’s armies) will do to *Jerusalem and to Judah. He will cut off supplies of food and water. v2-3 He will take away every sort of leader in authority – military officers, judges, ministers and officials in government, and wise advisers. And even people who say that they can see the future. v4 Mere youths without experience will become officials and leaders. v5 Families will quarrel. Neighbours will fight each other. Youths will insult old people. And nobody will respect those who deserve honour. v6 A man will seize one of his brothers and say to him: ‘You still have a coat. You be our leader. Take up responsibility for this heap of stones.’ v7 But the brother will refuse. ‘I have no solution to our troubles. I have no food or clothes at home. Do not make me the leader.’

v8 Both national and local government have completely broken down. This is because people’s evil words and actions have made the *Lord their enemy. v9 But they talk proudly about their wicked lives, as the inhabitants of Sodom used to do. Such people bring great trouble upon themselves. v10 Some people obey God and live good lives. Tell those people that God will reward them. v11 But some people do not obey God. Tell those people that they will suffer. What they have done to other people, other people will do to them. v12 My people! Your leaders are fools. They are as weak as women. They are as silly as children. Your leaders are taking you away from God.