The LORD Almighty Takes Away What Judah Relies On (Isaiah 3:1-15)

 

The LORD Almighty Takes Away What Judah Relies On (Isaiah 3:1-15)

What do we rely on every day? Money? Recognition and praise? Those things are important, but the problem is that wealth and success can never truly satisfy us. It's like having a great meal today but still needing to eat again tomorrow.

That’s why we must depend on God daily. Because we’re not here by accident—we were created in His image. God is the real source of what we need. He is our true food and drink, the love, joy, and peace that our hearts long for.

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35).

But when we rely on the things of this world instead of God, it’s just like idol worship, leading us down a path to destruction. Nothing in this world can save us. Those who put their trust in anything other than God will ultimately face disappointment and shame.

Israel was saved by God’s mighty power and brought into the promised land. But instead of trusting in their Savior, they turned to idols. So, God took away what they depended on—not to destroy them, but to bring them back to Him. Those who trust in the LORD will never be put to shame and will receive the crown of heaven.

God Removes What People Depend On

1 See now, the Lord, the LORD Almighty, is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: all food and all water, 2 the hero and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, 3 the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor, skilled craftsman, and clever enchanter. 4 “I will make mere youths their officials; children will rule over them” (Isaiah 3:1-4).

God was about to remove everything Jerusalem and Judah relied on. Losing food and water would devastate daily life. Taking away warriors meant they would be defenseless against their enemies. Without judges, there would be no justice—society would fall into anarchy. Without prophets, they would no longer hear God’s word, leaving them lost in darkness and ignorance.

Leaders like elders, commanders, nobles, and advisors provided structure and stability. Removing them would plunge the nation into disorder. Losing skilled workers meant the no maintenance of both the temple and society, with no ability to rebuild. Every system that maintained order, wisdom, and justice would collapse. And in reality, this prophecy was fulfilled when the Babylonian army destroyed Jerusalem.

"Nebuchadnezzar carried into exile all Jerusalem: all the officers and fighting men, and all the skilled workers and artisans—a total of ten thousand. Only the poorest people of the land were left” (2 Kings 24:14).

Instead, God allowed young and inexperienced leaders to take control. These children lacked the wisdom, knowledge, and experience to govern. When King Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, took the throne, the people asked him to ease their heavy burdens. But instead of listening to wise elders, he followed the advice of his young friends and made things even harder. As a result, Israel split into two kingdoms—North and South—just as God had warned Solomon.

"So the LORD said to Solomon, ‘Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates’” (1 Kings 11:11).

From that moment on, Israel was divided, locked in endless civil wars. They even turned to foreign enemies like Arameans and Assyrians for help in fighting their own people. All of this happened because they refused to listen to God and followed idols instead.

God was angry with His people because they bowed down to idols. After Israel split, no king like David ever rose again, and the nation remained divided until its eventual destruction by Assyrians and Babylonians. But this pointed ahead to the coming Messiah—the true Son of David—who would one day restore what was lost.

Instead of wise and godly rulers, Israel was given immature and foolish leaders who led them into sin. God's judgment comes not by stopping people from making bad choices, but by letting them go their own way (Romans 1:24,26,28). However, when people choose evil, there are always consequences.

The People Oppress Each Other

5 People will oppress each other—man against man, neighbor against neighbor. The young will rise up against the old, the nobody against the honored. 6 A man will seize one of his brothers at his father’s house and say, “You have a cloak, you be our leader; take charge of this heap of ruins!” 7 But in that day he will cry out, “I have no remedy. I have no food or clothing in my house. Don’t make me the leader of the people” (Isaiah 3:5-7).

The result of not worshiping God and turning to idols was truly disastrous. Their land lay desolate, their cities burned, and foreigners devoured them (Isaiah 1:7). God stripped away everything Judah relied on and handed them over to foreign nations. War is horrible, leaving behind indescribable pain, wounds, and suffering. In an instant, everything can be lost, and even surviving becomes a struggle. No one wanted to be a leader. When taking care of oneself is already overwhelming, how could anyone think of leading others?

It was a truly desperate situation. People harming and oppressing each other is tragic. This was the result of forsaking God and worshiping idols. God deliberately removed what they depended on so they would turn back to Him, the only true source of salvation. God’s discipline is painful, but after being refined, it yields the fruit of righteousness.

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).

King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, and then tried to cover it up. When that failed, he sent Uriah to the front lines of battle to be killed—an even greater sin. This was detestable, unrighteous, and wicked in God’s sight. The prophet Nathan confronted David about his sin:

9 “Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in His eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own” (2 Samuel 12:9-10).

At this, David repented with a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). Though he was forgiven, he still had to face the consequences of his sin. His son Amnon violated Tamar, and in revenge, Absalom killed Amnon, then rebelled against his father, attempting to overthrow him (2 Samuel 13:14, 13:29, 15:10). David, in deep sorrow, fled barefoot while weeping (2 Samuel 15:30). Yet, God accepted his repentance and restored his kingship.

But the Righteous Will Be Blessed

8 Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen because they spoke against the LORD and defied His glorious presence. 9 The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves. 10 Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. 11 Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done. 12 Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. My people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path” (Isaiah 3:8-12).

Because of Judah’s sins, God brought judgment upon Jerusalem. They had defied the LORD through their words and actions, dishonoring His glory. Their expressions revealed their rebellion against God. When the LORD rejected Cain’s offering, Cain’s face became downcast with anger (Genesis 4:5). Eventually, he killed his brother Abel in cold blood (Genesis 4:8). As a result, he was cursed to be a restless wanderer, living in fear of being killed (Genesis 4:12-13).

But the righteous will be blessed. The righteous will eat the fruit of their deeds. Who are the righteous? Those who fear the LORD and follow His commands, believing that His word will be fulfilled. The righteous do not walk in step with the wicked, stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the company of mockers (Psalm 1:1). Instead, they delight in the law of the LORD and meditate on it day and night (Psalm 1:2). They do not chase after what seems beneficial in the moment but hold on to the hope of God’s kingdom. God blesses the righteous with abundant fruit.

“That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers” (Psalm 1:3).

But the wicked will not be so. The wicked will face disaster as they receive back what they have done. Israel abandoned God and worshiped idols, and as a result, their nation was destroyed, their temple ruined, and their nobles taken captive. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew (Genesis 25:32), and God took away his blessing, giving it to Jacob instead.

“Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away” (Psalm 1:4).

The Lord Takes His Stand to Judge

13 The Lord takes his stand to argue his case; he rises to judge the people. 14 The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: “It is you who have devoured the vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses. 15 What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty. (Isaiah 3:13-15)

The Lord God stands up to argue His case and rises to judge the people. He comes to hold the elders and leaders accountable. God declares that they have devoured the vineyard, oppressed the poor, and stored up stolen goods in their homes. The Lord Almighty has spoken His verdict. Everyone will one day stand before God, the ultimate Judge, and be judged according to what they have done. "God 'will repay each person according to what they have done.'" (Romans 2:6)

9 "So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)

This world is not everything. What we see is only a small part; the unseen is eternal. God has prepared a kingdom in heaven that will never perish, spoil, or fade. "And into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:4)

His kingdom is filled with righteousness and justice like a flowing river, a place where there is no suffering, no tears, no sorrow, and no thirst. "'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4)

The name of His kingdom is “The Lord is There.” "And the name of the city from that time on will be: 'The Lord is There.'" (Ezekiel 48:35)

Even though we suffer in this world, we have this hope, so we can stand firm. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

One day, when we stand before the Lord, He will reveal everything to us. "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:12)

One day, people brought little children to Jesus, but the disciples rebuked them. "People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them." (Mark 10:13)

Seeing this, Jesus was indignant and told them not to stop the children because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. "When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’ "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:14-15)

Through this, Jesus taught an important lesson about who belongs in the kingdom of heaven. The nature of a child is to trust their parents completely and live without worry. In the same way, we are who are supposed to completely dependent on God. Without the Creator’s provision and guidance, we cannot exist.

Thus, trusting in the Lord is the duty of every person. 5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Trusting in God means believing in His promises, just as Abraham did. "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." (Genesis 15:6)

Relying on God and trusting in Him is the only way to be free from all worry and to experience true freedom.

33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:33-34) Amen!

Feb. 23, 2025

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.

The Scripture quotations are from the NIV.

 

The LORD Alone Will Be Exalted (Isaiah 2:6-22)

 

The LORD Alone Will Be Exalted (Isaiah 2:6-22)

Who Are We, and Where Do We Stand? God is the Creator, and we are His creation. Humans were formed from dust—just dust (עָפָר). Since we came from dust, we will return to dust (Ecclesiastes 3:20). But God made us in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:27). When He shaped man from the dust and breathed life into him, he became a living being (Genesis 2:7). Unlike animals, humans were created to communicate and have a fellowship with God the Creator.

However, Adam fell into sin and was ultimately cast out of the Garden of Eden. Later, God rescued the descendants of Jacob from their suffering as slaves in Egypt and made a covenant with them. The agreement was clear: if they honored and obeyed God’s commands, they would be blessed, but if they disobeyed, they would face judgment. God chose to save them out of His grace alone, making them His covenant people. Therefore, no human being has any right to claim glory for themselves. Only the LORD God is worthy of eternal glory, honor, and praise. Amen!

The LORD Rejects His People, the House of Jacob

6 You, LORD, have abandoned your people, the descendants of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and make alliances with pagans. 7 Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots. 8 Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made. 9 So people will be brought low and everyone humbled—do not forgive them. (Isaiah 2:6-9)

God rejected His chosen people, the descendants of Jacob. Why? Because they rejected Him first. They followed superstitions, practiced divination like the Philistines, and made covenants—including intermarriage—with foreign nations. After entering Canaan, they became wealthy but also filled their land with idols. Everyone—both lowly and noble—bowed down to false gods. As a result, they were completely abandoned by God.

Yet, God had first poured out His great grace on them. When they were slaves in Egypt, He raised up Moses to lead them to freedom. He parted the Red Sea, guided them through the wilderness, and brought them into the land of Canaan. He drove out the sinful Canaanites and blessed Israel with abundance. This wasn’t because Israel deserved it, but because the sin of the Canaanites had reached its full measure, and God’s judgment came upon them. As He had told Abraham long before: "In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure." (Genesis 15:16)

Why Did God Forbid Idolatry?

Because He alone is the all-powerful God who rescued His people. Idols are nothing—they have no power to save. In fact, they only lead to destruction and ruin. But idolatry is a strong temptation. The invisible God and His kingdom seem distant, while physical objects and worldly things feel immediate and satisfying. To people driven by desires and cravings, idols seem to offer something real. That’s why God repeatedly warned His people not to bow to them:

29 The LORD your God will cut off before you the nations you are about to invade and dispossess. But when you have driven them out and settled in their land, 30 be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, “How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.” (Deuteronomy 12:29-30)

Because of this, God punishes those who engage in idolatry. Idols are merely wood, stone, or metal—they have no power, no authority. Worshiping them is useless, and those who follow them waste their time and ultimately face destruction. The nations of Sodom, Egypt, and Canaan were destroyed because they turned away from God. Now, Israel was facing judgment for doing the same.

What Are Today’s Idols?

They are everywhere. Wealth and success strongly tempt people. Seeking approval from others is another powerful trap. Of course, money is necessary to live, but Scripture warns: "The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (1 Timothy 6:10)

Money is just a tool; it has no power to save. Worshiping wealth or anything in this world is idolatry. Jesus taught His disciples: "You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:24)

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. (1 Timothy 6:6-9)

The Day of the Lord Almighty Will Come

10 Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty! 11 The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled, and human pride brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. 12 The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled)" (Isaiah 2:10-12).

God speaks to Israel, who had turned away from Him and bowed to idols. He tells them to hide in the rocks and the dust because they cannot stand before His awesome presence. Since they fell into idol worship, they tremble in fear and terror. This is not the gentle, saving face of God they had known, but the righteous Judge who brings justice. The presence of the Lord brings both grace and judgment—it shelters the faithful but brings destruction to the wicked.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows (Galatians 6:7). God alone deserves honor, glory, and worship. When the Lord God descended on Mount Sinai, thunder and lightning flashed, a thick cloud covered the mountain, and a loud trumpet blast made the Israelites tremble in fear (Exodus 19:16). Before coming near the mountain, they were commanded to purify themselves for three days, wash their clothes, and abstain from sexual relations (Exodus 19:14-15). Yet even with all their preparation, they could not help but shake in terror at God's overwhelming majesty.

"When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, 'Speak to us yourself, and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.' Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.' The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was." (Exodus 20:18-21).

When the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, suffering under oppression, God showed His power and mercy by delivering them. Egypt was struck with plagues after plagues, and the Egyptians trembled in fear at God’s mighty acts. But in Goshen, where the Israelites lived, God protected His people from judgment. He showed them how He punishes idol-worshiping nations.

Now, however, God has come to judge Israel itself. The proud will be humbled, and those who exalt themselves will be brought low. The Lord alone will be exalted. Israel, who had received God's grace but turned to idols, will be put to shame. Through this, God's holiness and justice will be revealed to all nations.

Yet, in His mercy, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save those who were destined for destruction. Just as He sought Adam and Eve when they hid from Him after sinning, He covered their shame with garments of animal skins (Genesis 3:21). God placed the punishment we deserved upon His Son, and through Him, all who believe receive eternal life (John 3:16).

The Lord Alone Will Be Exalted

"The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty, and all the oaks of Bashan, for all the towering mountains and all the high hills, for every lofty tower and every fortified wall, for every trading ship of Tarshish and every stately vessel. The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day, and the idols will totally disappear." (Isaiah 2:13-18).

The Day of the Lord will bring judgment on all that is exalted and proud. Everything that the world boasts in and takes pride in will be brought down. The mighty will fall, and the Lord alone will be glorified. The things that people value so highly in this world, like Babel Tower, will be humiliated and stripped of their worth. But the kingdom of God will stand firm forever.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:3-4).

In the ancient world, Babylon was a powerful empire that dominated vast lands and had a formidable military. Under King Nebuchadnezzar (605–562 BC), it reached its peak. After dreaming of a massive golden statue, he had a real golden image built and ordered everyone to worship it (Daniel 3:1). Later, he had another vision of a great and beautiful tree that was cut down, leaving only the stump. A heavenly messenger declared that the stump would have the mind of an animal and live in the wild for seven years (Daniel 4:15-16).

This prophecy was fulfilled. As Nebuchadnezzar walked on the roof of his palace, boasting of his power and the glory of Babylon, he was struck down. Before he even finished speaking, he was driven away from people, lived among the wild animals, ate grass like cattle, and his hair grew like eagles' feathers (Daniel 4:33). God did this to show that He alone grants power and authority. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled (Daniel 4:32). King Herod enjoyed the praise of the people, but because he did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. (Acts 12:22-23)

Jesus also taught His disciples this truth: "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Luke 14:11).

Jesus, who is the Creator and the highest King, humbled Himself and took on the form of a servant (John 1:14). He bore the sins of the world, suffered, and died on the cross as a criminal. The Son of God became nothing (Philippians 2:7). But because of His humility and obedience, God raised Him from the dead and exalted Him to the highest place. He is now King of kings and Lord of lords (Philippians 2:9-11). God blesses the humble and the poor in spirit, giving them the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3).

The Lord Rises to Shake the Earth

19 People will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth. 20 In that day people will throw away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and idols of gold, which they made to worship. 21 They will flee to caverns in the rocks and to the overhanging crags from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth. 22 Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem? (Isaiah 2:19-22)

When the Lord rises to shake the earth, those who worshiped idols will run to hide in caves and underground shelters. They will throw away their gold and silver idols to the moles and bats, realizing they are utterly worthless. Those who relied on people and followed false gods will be ashamed before the King of kings and the Lord of lords. When God descended on Mount Sinai, the Israelites trembled in fear. How much more terrifying will it be when the Almighty shakes not only the earth but also the heavens?

26 At that time, His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. (Hebrews 12:26-27)

But for us, the people of God, we do not need to shrink back in shame on that great and awesome day. We can stand before the Lord with joy, gratitude, and confidence—not because of our own righteousness, but through faith in Jesus Christ.

38 “My righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” 39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. (Hebrews 10:38-39)

Through the blood of Jesus, we have been justified. And for those whom God has declared righteous, there is no condemnation. This is why we can stand boldly before His throne of grace.

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)

2025. 2. 16.

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.

The Scripture quotations are from the NIV.