Single lesson
Isaiah 3: Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah
Isaiah 3:1–15; Isaiah 3:16–26
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. This lesson also brings together A Warning to the Daughters of Zion.
Before you teach
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.
Explain the central teaching of Isaiah 3: Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah, using two details from the reading. This passage teaches that the Lord judges open sin, failed leadership, and injustice, and he distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked. Isaiah 3:16–26 warns that the Lord opposes arrogant self-display and can turn admired beauty into mourning.
Welcome: Isaiah 3: Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah
5 minIntroduce “Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah”, “A Warning to the Daughters of Zion” and locate Isaiah 3:1–15; Isaiah 3:16–26. This passage teaches that the Lord judges open sin, failed leadership, and injustice, and he distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Isaiah 3:1, Isaiah 3:8, Isaiah 3:15
Read and explain the passage
12 minJudgment on Jerusalem and Judah (Isaiah 3:1–15): 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.
A Warning to the Daughters of Zion (Isaiah 3:16–26): Yahweh begins by describing the daughters of Zion as arrogant. Their outstretched necks, flirting eyes, careful walking, and jingling ornaments show a proud manner. The issue is not simply owning adornments, but the haughty way they carry themselves before the Lord.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah”, “A Warning to the Daughters of Zion”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Isaiah 3:1, Isaiah 3:2, Isaiah 3:3, Isaiah 3:16
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What kinds of support does the Lord remove from Jerusalem and Judah?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Isaiah 3:16–26 warns that the Lord opposes arrogant self-display and can turn admired beauty into mourning. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Isaiah 3:1, Isaiah 3:2, Isaiah 3:3, Isaiah 3:8, Isaiah 3:9, Isaiah 3:24, Isaiah 3:25, Isaiah 3:26
Make and respond: Vision and message evidence map
12 minWork on “Isaiah 3: Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah: Vision and message evidence map”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah”, “A Warning to the Daughters of Zion” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Isaiah 3:1, Isaiah 3:14, Isaiah 3:26
Closing: return to A Warning to the Daughters of Zion
3 minRevisit Isaiah 3:16–26. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about A Warning to the Daughters of Zion and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Isaiah 3:16, Isaiah 3:21, Isaiah 3:26
Questions to explore
What kinds of support does the Lord remove from Jerusalem and Judah?
Notice both the supplies and the many types of people named.
Isaiah 3:1, Isaiah 3:2, Isaiah 3:3
What reason does the passage give for Jerusalem’s ruin?
Look at what it says about their words, deeds, and open sin.
Isaiah 3:8, Isaiah 3:9
How does the passage widen from personal adornment to national grief?
Trace the movement from exchanged beauty in verse 24 to war and mourning in verses 25–26.
Isaiah 3:24, Isaiah 3:25, Isaiah 3:26
Make, think or respond
Isaiah 3: Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah: Vision and message evidence map
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage describes”, “What is explained in the text”, “What question remains”.
- Read Isaiah 3:1–15; Isaiah 3:16–26. Use “Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah”, “A Warning to the Daughters of Zion” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Circle an explanation the passage itself provides. Leave unexplained details as questions for further reading.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Isaiah 3: Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah”, “A Warning to the Daughters of Zion” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Isaiah 3:1–15; Isaiah 3:16–26. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Isaiah 3:1–15; Isaiah 3:16–26. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Isaiah 3
1 For, 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;
2 the mighty man, the man of war, the judge, the prophet, the diviner, the elder,
3 the captain of fifty, the honorable man, the counselor, the skilled craftsman, and the clever enchanter.
4 I will give boys to be their princes, and children shall rule over them.
5 The 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.
6 Indeed 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.”
7 In 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.”
8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen; because their tongue and their doings are against Yahweh, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
9 The 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.
10 Tell the righteous that it will be well with them, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds.
11 Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them, for the deeds of their hands will be paid back to them.
12 As 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.
13 Yahweh stands up to contend, and stands to judge the peoples.
14 Yahweh 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.
15 What do you mean that you crush my people, and grind the face of the poor?” says the Lord, Yahweh of Armies.
16 Moreover Yahweh said, “Because the daughters of Zion are arrogant, and walk with outstretched necks and flirting eyes, walking daintily as they go, jingling ornaments on their feet;
17 therefore the Lord brings sores on the crown of the head of the women of Zion, and Yahweh will make their scalps bald.”
18 In that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, the headbands, the crescent necklaces,
19 the earrings, the bracelets, the veils,
20 the headdresses, the ankle chains, the sashes, the perfume containers, the charms,
21 the signet rings, the nose rings,
22 the fine robes, the capes, the cloaks, the purses,
23 the hand mirrors, the fine linen garments, the tiaras, and the shawls.
24 It shall happen that instead of sweet spices, there shall be rottenness; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well set hair, baldness; instead of a robe, a wearing of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.
25 Your men shall fall by the sword, and your mighty in the war.
26 Her gates shall lament and mourn. She shall be desolate and sit on the ground.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.