“For a man will take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying: ‘You have a cloak; you shall be our leader, and this heap of ruins shall be under your rule’; in that day he will speak out, saying: ‘I will not be a healer; in my house there is neither bread nor cloak; you shall not make me leader of the people.’ For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the LORD, defying His glorious presence. For the look on their faces bears witness against them; they proclaim their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it.” Isaiah 3:6-9
Devotional Thought For The Day
This is a prophetic description of the result and consequences of God’s judgment upon His people, the people of Jerusalem. The cause of this judgment is clearly laid out – “their speech and their deeds are against the LORD, defying His glorious presence.” The boldness of their sin and unbelief was also visible and public – the look on their faces, joy in this lifestyle, bore witness against them, and they were not shy in pursuing their sin and proclaiming it perfectly right and reasonable. The comparison was to the people of Sodom, and sadly, this is a comparison that is apt for many people today – opposing God in both their speaking and acting, and doing so belligerently and arrogantly.
The consequent punishment was not only lack of basic needs for life but also a lack of leadership. The conditions God imposed upon them are mentioned in the first verse of this chapter: “the Lord GOD of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water.” Such conditions compel people to put all concentration and effort into mere survival, and no one really wants to take responsibility for others – it’s each man for himself. In the absence of strong leadership people are willing to have virtually anyone be their leader. In our own nation, in these current times, strong leaders have to present a message of tightening the belt, of personal responsibility. Those who present such a platform, however, are countered by those who promise all kinds of good things if they are elected – and such leaders are generally foolish, like children, if they do try to fulfill their promises. Lack of strong leadership compounds and multiplies the woes of a people, and this too is punishment for opposing God in word and deed, and rejoicing in sin. Lord, have mercy!
In all of this God is ultimately trying to bring people back to our senses, to humble us and bring us to repentance, that He may have mercy on us and forgive us, and lead us back to proper deference for “His glorious presence,” so that sin and wickedness is proscribed and people are required, at least externally, in their public speaking and behavior, to uphold what is good and right and to honor God for Who He is. Historically this has been a difficult task, for once people commit to rebellion against God it is unlikely that they will repent. So the destruction of Sodom; so also the continued unbelief of the Scribes and Pharisees in the face of Jesus’ teachings and miracles, and that of the apostles. It is a form of insanity, a deeply moral condition that denudes one of the capacity to be rational in regard to God and good.
True believers in God, those who know and believe His love for us in Christ Jesus, are caught in the middle. Peer pressure, and our assumption that people will not act insanely and self-destructively, lead us to listen to the “logic” [false, concocted excuses] of immorality and denial of God’s glory. Some of this then creeps even into the “churches.” Reality, that imposed by God, ultimately either changes hearts and minds or crushes God’s opponents. Scriptural history, and world history, bears this out. We may have to suffer with our fellow citizens, for their foolishness, and we may have to bear foolish leaders, but our hope and trust remains in God, and He will ultimately deliver us. Regardless of our circumstances, we understand how blessed it is to acknowledge and submit to His glorious presence, and to honor Him with repentance, faith in His love, and decent words and behavior. May God’s people continue to boldly and courageously bear witness to His glorious love in Christ Jesus rather than capitulating to evil. It is the only hope for our nation and our civilization.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your mercy and compassion, and for the kind and also the stern ways in which You seek to call us back to Yourself, and back to what is truly decent and blessed. Grant us constancy of faith and love in these difficult times, that we not have to suffer want and complete lack of leadership. Forbid that we capitulate to the evils of our time, and spare us when Your destructive judgment falls upon those who defy Your glorious presence. We know Your love, and that You will shield us. Amen.