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About this chapterGod announces that he will remove from Jerusalem and Judah every support: food, water, soldiers, judges, prophets, and skilled leaders. In their place will come inexperienced rulers and social chaos, where the young oppress the old and people grab at whoever has a cloak to lead them. The leaders have crushed the poor and ground the faces of the needy, and God brings them to account. The chapter then turns to the proud women of Zion, whose jewelry and finery will be replaced by mourning and disgrace. The point is that pride and injustice at the heart of society bring collapse.

God announces that he will remove from Jerusalem and Judah every support: food, water, soldiers, judges, prophets, and skilled leaders. In their place will come inexperienced rulers and social chaos, where the young oppress the old and people grab at whoever has a cloak to lead them. The leaders have crushed the poor and ground the faces of the needy, and God brings them to account. The chapter then turns to the proud women of Zion, whose jewelry and finery will be replaced by mourning and disgrace. The point is that pride and injustice at the heart of society bring collapse.

Themes

  • Loss of leadership
  • Oppression of the poor
  • Pride brought low

Key verses

Audio Bible · Isaiah 3

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Isaiah 3

Berean Standard Bible26 verses · 2 min read

1For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of food and water, 2the mighty man and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the soothsayer and the elder, 3the commander of fifty and the dignitary, the counselor, the cunning magician, and the clever enchanter. 4“I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.” 5The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, and the base against the honorable. 6A man will seize his brother within his father’s house: “You have a cloak—you be our leader! Take charge of this heap of rubble.” 7On that day he will cry aloud: “I am not a healer. I have no food or clothing in my house. Do not make me leader of the people!” 8For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen because they spoke and acted against the LORD, defying His glorious presence. 9The expression on their faces testifies against them, and like Sodom they flaunt their sin; they do not conceal it. Woe to them, for they have brought disaster upon themselves. 10Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. 11Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done. 12Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. O My people, your guides mislead you; they turn you from your paths. 13The LORD arises to contend; He stands to judge the people. 14The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses. 15Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?”declares the Lord GOD of Hosts. 16The LORD also says: “Because the daughters of Zion are haughty— walking with heads held high and wanton eyes, prancing and skipping as they go, jingling the bracelets on their ankles— 17the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will make their foreheads bare. ” 18In that day the Lord will take away their finery: their anklets and headbands and crescents; 19their pendants, bracelets, and veils; 20their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes; their perfume bottles and charms; 21their signet rings and nose rings; 22their festive robes, capes, cloaks, and purses; 23and their mirrors, linen garments, tiaras, and shawls. 24Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, shame. 25Your men will fall by the sword, and your warriors in battle. 26And the gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.
Verses in Isaiah 3

Chapters of Isaiah

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