Tyndale Open Study NotesIsaiah 3

Isaiah condemned Israel and Judah for their pride and self-importance. He warned them that only God should be honored. All attempts by humans to lift themselves up will actually result in humiliation.

These verses continue discussing judgment against Israel's leaders (see Isaiah 1:23–25). Removing leaders at all levels would let the mob take over. Chaos and famine would turn Judah and Jerusalem into a social wasteland.

remove … food and water: Long ago, God warned of famine. It could lead to terrible conditions and desperate acts as a judgment for wickedness (Leviticus 26:26–29).

On the day of judgment, all military, civil, judicial, and religious leaders will be removed (Isaiah 39:7; 2 Kings 24:14–16). God will eventually provide good leaders again (Isaiah 1:26), but not those who use pagan methods of revelation (47:9, 12–13; see Deuteronomy 18:10–12).

Conditions would be so severe that even boys and toddlers could become candidates for office. Isaiah might have meant that adult leaders would be so reduced in number that only children would be left to take on the role.

Alternatively, he might have meant that the new leaders would be as immature, unwise, strong-willed, and inexperienced as children.

Things would be so bad (this heap of rubble) that no one would want to lead. The people would become so desperate that anyone offering food or clothes could lead them (Isaiah 3:7). However, no one would actually have food or clothing (see Isaiah 4:1).

• The weakness of human strength and society can be seen as a form of divine judgment.

• His glorious presence: The people of Judah were openly wicked, like the people of Sodom (Isaiah 3:9; see also 1:9–10).

The expression on their faces: At this time, the people openly defied God.

The godly, that is, the righteous remnant (the faithful people who remain loyal to God), will receive God’s reward (see Isaiah 40:10).

Those who do wrong and act unfairly will face God's just punishment.

The Lord is both the prosecutor and the supreme judge in this trial against his people.

A prosecutor is someone who brings charges in court. A judge is the one who decides the case. In this passage, the Lord fills both roles.

• elders and leaders: Wicked and abusive leadership by ungodly and incompetent leaders hinders God's purpose for his people (see also Isaiah 3:12). Therefore, leaders face stricter judgment because they are responsible for the well-being of those they lead.

• the vineyard: See the Song of the Vineyard (Isaiah 5:1–7).

The Lord cares for the poor. These were the marginalized and oppressed (people pushed aside and treated unfairly; see Isaiah 1:17). But God is their protector (see 25:4).

God asked his people to share his concern for the poor. But instead of helping the poor, many Israelites exploited them to gain wealth (see Isaiah 3:14). They used their power to take advantage of those who could not defend themselves.

TThis passage applies the prophet’s teaching on arrogance (see Isaiah 2:11–12) to the people of Jerusalem. An alternate understanding is that this passage applies specifically to the women of Jerusalem.

• The dramatic descriptions show how the people of Jerusalem loved their refined way of life. They proudly showed their self-reliance, power, and prestige.

• daughters of Zion: See “Zion” Theme Note.

take away their finery: In a reversal of fortune, the affluent (wealthy) and proud people of Jerusalem would suffer disgrace (public shame). Wealthy women often wore expensive and beautiful clothing or jewelry (Isaiah 3:18).

This finery probably included amulets (small objects people believed could protect them from evil). The people wore these items to keep harm away. But these objects could not prevent the disaster of judgment.

These beautiful items were also status symbols. They showed wealth, importance, and financial security. The people trusted in these outward signs of success.

Your men will fall … in battle: Part of the city’s hopeless destitution (extreme poverty and loss) would be the deaths of the men.