Come Bible Study with me (Isaiah Chapter 3)

Welcome back. As we continue in the book of Isaiah, let us consider if we are truly following the LORD with our whole heart or the ways of man. This week, we are taking a look at Isaiah chapter 3. Remember, our theme for the year  is "wholeness" and remembering that there is still HOPE. See the previous posts for definitions and commentary on the theme. 


Between chapters 1-3, we see a pattern of those who had turned from the LORD and followed others. As a result, they would lose resources and provision from the LORD. Let’s jump into the specifics of chapter 3. 

We will start with summarizing the chapter. This chapter starts out with God removing food and leadership from Jerusalem and Judah because they were not ashamed of their sin and they trusted in others more than God. Prophet Isaiah then began to give the specifics of those who would be removed.

Next, he explained to them that God would replace them with “boys and infants,” which is a metaphor for those who are not responsible or mature. This would bring about chaos and unrest. It would also cause the people to oppress one another. Finally, he explains that the LORD would take away the wealthy garments of the prideful women because they flaunted their pride and sin. Everyone would mourn.


The verse that stood out to me was verse 24, “Instead of perfume there will be rottenness; and instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well-set hair, baldness; instead of a rich robe, a skirt of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.” This verse spoke to my heart. The word "instead" continued to leap from the page. This was a great warning for the women of the land. Although, God addresses the entire nation as a whole, the pride in the women stood out like a brightly lit billboard on a long dark road.

What happens to a society when even the women, the nurturers get to such a stage of sin? 

It collapses.

Being a woman, a wife, and a mother, these verses about the women make me think about the conditions of the children’s hearts during that time. If those who were called to train up the children (the men and women alike) had turned from God, there is no one else to lead the young people. I imagined the children following their wickedness and their idol worship. 

In addition to verse 24, verse 4 also stood out to me, “And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them.”

As stated in the summary, God even spoke through Prophet Isaiah that he would replace their leaders with children. I saw this not as God being harsh toward children, but that He was revealing to them how far they had fallen, no one was leading in the way of the LORD anymore, so to make them aware of their current spiritual condition, He would give them those who were not fit, not just lead them, but also to Lord over them. I believe this was to open their eyes in hopes that they would come to know that they needed to return to the LORD’s truth, guidance and direction, and away from the evil guides they followed. 

 This was all a result of their great pride and becoming rich by taking from the poor. They flaunted their sin before God, not realizing that they were barren, seeking greatness and riches, but they were empty without the LORD. The evil in their society had come to a head, and God would deal with it and cause them to experience humiliation in the process. 

Some would probably not see the consequences of their sin as the grace of God, but that’s exactly what it was. 

Now, let's dive deeper: 
As usual, we will take a few minutes to answer the 4 questions below either in our Bible or a journal. Once you're done, return here for the next part. 

1. What lies did Israel believe? 
They believed that their resources, wealth, magic, and leaders would bring them success. 
The women believed their status and wealth was their identity. 
They believed their guides would lead them in the right direction. 

2. What was God's truth they questioned? 
God is their true leader and guide. 


3. How did the lies they believed distort their identity? 
This distorted their identity because their achievements, appearances, and status became more important. 

They became experts in things that were not of God, instead of God's praying people. 

 4. What did they believe their purpose was in that distorted identity? 
I think they believed their purpose was to build their status by any means. 

But there was still HOPE for them...

Now use my HOPE acronym and journal how there was still hope for them by answering the questions below. Feel free to change or add your own questions as well. 

H (Spiritual Healing) - How would their spiritual health  improve when God removed their support and supply (v. 1-3) and enters into judgment with the elders and princes? 
O - (Overcoming) - How will God respond to the righteous in the land? 
P - (Purpose) - What do you think was God's real purpose for the women in the land? 
E - (Eternal Perspective) - Why is God trying to shift their perspective to an eternal one? 

​Finally, take a few moments to journal at least one of the application questions below:
1. What are the signs that your nation is in danger of God's judgement? (Taken from the "Experiencing God Bible")

2. How does poor leadership result in the suffering of the poor and vulnerable? (Taken from the "Experiencing God Bible")

3. How does James 5:4-5 relate to this chapter?
 
When you're finished, return here. 

My answer: 
The question I chose to answer is #1. The signs that a nation is in danger of God's judgment is the same as those things taking place in chapters 1-3. I list a few of them:

• Forsaking/Rebelling against God (Isaiah 1:4)
• Worship Defiled (Isaiah 1:12)
• Idol Worship (Isaiah 2:8) 
• Pride (Isaiah 2:11)
• Mistreating the vulnerable (Isaiah 3:15)

Junk Journaling idea: 
I also love to junk journaling in my free time. Here is a simple idea to help us meditate on God's words from Isaiah 3:

Print out pictures of Jenga blocks or draw them (for those who are artistic). Make sure some of them are standing with missing blocks and some are scattered across the page. Next, add note bubbles that explain that the fallen blocks represent a society that has collapsed because of God's judgment. Include how they collapsed as well. 

On another page, write a prayer for our nation and those around the world. Make sure the prayer includes repentance and praying for the nations to return to God. 


Please leave a comment below with your answer to the question you chose to answer and an image of your spread if possible. Also, leave any questions or commentary. 


Be Blessed & Keep Studying with "HOPE in CHRIST” 

Denise M. Walker
Founder of Hope in Christ