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

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The Scripture quotations are from the NIV.