Isaiah 3

< Back to Isaiah Index


TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Continued Denouncement for Rebellion Against the Lord

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. When people rebel against the Lord there is the breakdown of society.

  2. When people rebel against the Lord there is the judgment of society.

  3. When people rebel against the Lord there is the humbling of society.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let’s humble ourselves or be humbled.

QUESTIONS

  1. What is a general definition for the Day of the Lord?

  2. What are the two aspects of the Day of the Lord? Which aspects are in view in Isaiah 2 and 3?

  3. List the ways society would break down when God allowed the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar to sweep in and besiege Jerusalem.

  4. What is the structure of verses 9-11? What is the good news in these verses?

  5. How long did the Babylonians’ siege on Jerusalem last?

ANSWERS

  1. The Day of the Lord is anytime the Lord intervenes in the affairs of the nations – for blessing or for judgment.

  2. There is a historical or past aspect and an eschatological or future aspect. The judgment of the Day of the Lord in chapter 2 was primarily eschatological – the judgment of the future Tribulation period. Chapter 3 the focus is primarily on the historical aspect of the Day of the Lord, when the Lord allowed the Babylonian forces to conquer Judah.

  3. The normal food supply would be cut off The nation’s defenses would be decimated The civil courts would no longer be operational The religious leaders would be removed The military commanders would be gone The skilled workers and craftsmen would be out of business

  4. Verse 10 is a note of hope between two woes of judgment. Just as the wicked will reap what they sow, so will the righteous reap what they sow.

  5. It lasted for over a year. All of the conditions described here literally took place.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. When people rebel against the Lord there is the breakdown of society. Discuss how this principle is currently playing out in our own society.

  2. Isaiah 3:14 shows that the Lord’s judgment was especially upon the leaders who had led His people astray. If you are a leader, this undoubtedly sobers you. If you are under leadership, how can you make the job of your leaders no more difficult than it already is?

CHALLENGE

  1. Do you want to be exalted? Here’s a promise without any exceptions from God’s word – humble yourself and God will exalt you. The converse is also true: exalt yourself and God will humble you.

KEY VERSES

  • “For Jerusalem stumbled, and Judah is fallen, because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of His glory.” Isaiah 3:8

  • “Woe to their soul! For they have brought evil upon themselves. Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him.” Isaiah 3:9-11

Isaiah, Old Testament, TalksDeb HarmsIsaiah 3