Book of Isaiah Chapter 3-4
"Will God really judge sin?"
Main Idea: "God clears the wreckage of his people's sin so that he can build a perfect Zion in its place." — Andrew Davis
"On that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of Israel's survivors." Isaiah 4:2
Isaiah 3 and 4 enveloped chapter 3, giving two clear pictures of God's redemptive power amid humanity's rebellion.
1. Loss of stability (3:1–15) • Just like a building, society depends on certain pillars for stability. • These pillars are gifts from a Holy and loving God. • The normal pattern for leadership is qualified men. o The mighty man (v. 2) o The leader (v. 3) • In their place, children will rule (v. 4) • The plumbline for leadership becomes low, and no one wants the responsibility to lead. (v. 6-7) • "When people no longer feel the need to hide their sin, but are actually proud of it and boast over it, society has reached its nadir." —Andrew Davis (v. 9) • The corruption of leadership will ultimately crush people. (v. 15)
2. Instability leads to a loss of vanity and luxury. (3:16–4:1) • Luxury is built on stability and abundance; ultimately, these things will vanish without stability.
“Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.” Proverbs 11:22
“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands.” 1 Peter 3:3-5
• Judgment will snatch away all the luxuries afforded by peace and affluence. "IN the end, their physical condition will match the ugliness of their souls." —Andrew Davis
3. God will not leave His people in their condition but will restore them through the Holy Son of God. (4:2–6) • In the smoldering ruin of Jerusalem, the Branch of the Lord will reign. (v. 2)
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” Jeremiah 23:5
“Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch.” Zechariah 3:8
“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:3
• God will make the remnant of Jerusalem into a "holy people" devoid of pride and wickedness. (v. 4-5) • The final image in verses 4 and 5 reminds the reader of the pillar of fire and smoke of the Lord's presence in Israel's previous history and a place of God's dwelling with His people.
Questions for Further Reflection:
1. What is the cost of losing key pillars of leadership to culture and society? 2. How do you see this playing out in our current climate?
Notes adapted from “Exalting Jesus in Isaiah, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary” by Andrew M. Davis, Ph.D.