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Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah
Isaiah 3:1–15 is a prophecy of judgment on Jerusalem and Judah. It describes removed support, disorder in society, open sin, a contrast between righteous and wicked people, and the Lord’s charges against leaders who harm the poor.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, speaks about Jerusalem and Judah. He says he will remove food, water, and many kinds of capable people. The passage explains that their ruin is tied to words and deeds against Yahweh, and it ends with the Lord judging leaders for oppressing his people.
Isaiah 3:1–15Main takeaway
This passage teaches that the Lord judges open sin, failed leadership, and injustice, and he distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The Lord removes supportThe passage opens with the Lord taking away both daily necessities and human support. Bread and water are named first, then soldiers, judges, prophets, elders, counsellors, craftsmen, and others.
Explanation
The passage opens with the Lord taking away both daily necessities and human support. Bread and water are named first, then soldiers, judges, prophets, elders, counsellors, craftsmen, and others. The picture is of a city losing what helps it survive, decide wisely, and stay ordered.
02Disorder spreads through the communityThe loss of stability leads to confused rule and broken relationships. Boys and children are pictured as rulers, and people oppress one another.
Explanation
The loss of stability leads to confused rule and broken relationships. Boys and children are pictured as rulers, and people oppress one another. Honour for age disappears. Conditions become so desperate that a man with clothing is urged to lead, but he refuses because he has no means to help.
03Ruin is linked to open sinThe text explains the reason for this ruin: Jerusalem and Judah are against Yahweh in speech and action.
Explanation
The text explains the reason for this ruin: Jerusalem and Judah are against Yahweh in speech and action. Their faces testify against them, and they display sin openly. The warning of woe shows that this disaster is connected to their own conduct, not to chance.
04The righteous and wicked are not treated alikeWithin this message of judgment, the passage makes a clear distinction. The righteous are told it will be well with them, and they will receive the fruit of their deeds.
Explanation
Within this message of judgment, the passage makes a clear distinction. The righteous are told it will be well with them, and they will receive the fruit of their deeds. The wicked are warned of disaster, and the work of their hands will be paid back to them.
05The Lord judges leaders for harming the poorThe closing verses return to leadership. Leaders have caused the people to stray, and Yahweh stands to judge.
Explanation
The closing verses return to leadership. Leaders have caused the people to stray, and Yahweh stands to judge. The elders and leaders are accused of taking what belongs to the vineyard and storing plunder from the poor. The Lord’s charge is that they crush his people.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What kinds of support does the Lord remove from Jerusalem and Judah?
Notice both the supplies and the many types of people named.
02What reason does the passage give for Jerusalem’s ruin?
Look at what it says about their words, deeds, and open sin.
03How does the passage speak differently to the righteous, the wicked, and the leaders?
Compare the outcome in verses 10 and 11 with the charges in verses 14 and 15.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 3:1–15
1For, behold, the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah supply and support, the whole supply of bread, and the whole supply of water;
2the mighty man, the man of war, the judge, the prophet, the diviner, the elder,
3the captain of fifty, the honorable man, the counselor, the skilled craftsman, and the clever enchanter.
4I will give boys to be their princes, and children shall rule over them.
5The people will be oppressed, everyone by another, and everyone by his neighbor. The child will behave himself proudly against the old man, and the wicked against the honorable.
6Indeed a man shall take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying, “You have clothing, you be our ruler, and let this ruin be under your hand.”
7In that day he will cry out, saying, “I will not be a healer; for in my house is neither bread nor clothing. You shall not make me ruler of the people.”
8For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen; because their tongue and their doings are against Yahweh, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
9The look of their faces testify against them. They parade their sin like Sodom. They don’t hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought disaster upon themselves.
10Tell the righteous that it will be well with them, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds.
11Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them, for the deeds of their hands will be paid back to them.
12As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. My people, those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.
13Yahweh stands up to contend, and stands to judge the peoples.
14Yahweh will enter into judgment with the elders of his people and their leaders: “It is you who have eaten up the vineyard. The plunder of the poor is in your houses.
15What do you mean that you crush my people, and grind the face of the poor?” says the Lord, Yahweh of Armies.