RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT?
Opening Prayer
Sovereign Lord, I give myself to You. With all my being I want to run the race of life for You.
Read Isaiah 3:13 – 4:1
13 The Lord takes his place in court;
he rises to judge the people.
14 The Lord enters into judgment
against the elders and leaders of his people:
“It is you who have ruined my vineyard;
the plunder from the poor is in your houses.
15 What do you mean by crushing my people
and grinding the faces of the poor?”
declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.
16 The Lord says,
“The women of Zion are haughty,
walking along with outstretched necks,
flirting with their eyes,
strutting along with swaying hips,
with ornaments jingling on their ankles.
17 Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion;
the Lord will make their scalps bald.”
18 In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, 19 the earrings and bracelets and veils, 20 the headdresses and anklets and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, 21 the signet rings and nose rings, 22 the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses 23 and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls.
24 Instead of fragrance there will be a stench;
instead of a sash, a rope;
instead of well-dressed hair, baldness;
instead of fine clothing, sackcloth;
instead of beauty, branding.
25 Your men will fall by the sword,
your warriors in battle.
26 The gates of Zion will lament and mourn;
destitute, she will sit on the ground.
4 1 In that day seven women
will take hold of one man
and say, “We will eat our own food
and provide our own clothes;
only let us be called by your name.
Take away our disgrace!”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
You are standing with the people in the court described today. God takes His place. What will you say?Today’s passage includes two striking extended metaphors. The first presents God as Judge. He sits in the court room and calmly declares justice and truth. This is quite a satisfying picture until we reflect that, as members of humanity, we are among those to be judged, rather than those watching from the sidelines. Again, in today’s reading, special, righteous anger is directed at ‘elders and leaders’ (14). This seems to be a fairly general category, so let’s examine ourselves.
Have we held responsibility for people? Then perhaps this verse points at us. Have we neglected some duty to the poor? We will be called to account.
The other image seems to involve women gone wrong. Their characteristics have been associated with certain types of women across many ages and cultures. These days, many would say this is unfair stereotyping. In truth, the adjectives ‘haughty’, ‘flirting’ and ‘strutting’ may equally be directed toward both genders. Indeed, one understanding of the scriptural term, ‘daughters of Zion’ (16, ESV), is that it covers all the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
However we view these women, their brokenness is heart-rending. It is also relevant in our own times. What do you suppose God sees when He views each of us from His place in court?
Apply
Remember that Jesus is your advocate. Read Hebrews 4:16 and boldly approach God’s throne today.
Closing prayer
Gracious God, sometimes it is not easy for me to identify with the poor and disadvantaged. Forgive me and quicken my sensitivity toward those in need.
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