The Illusion Of Control
Opening Prayer
Father God, I am filled with gratitude because of Your amazing grace and gifts. I joyfully praise You today.
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.
Meditate
Our concern is so often for outer beauty rather than beauty of the heart, for temporal comfort and wealth rather than true riches. We are no different than the Israelites.
Think Further
People living in politically volatile or poor regions are well aware of how fragile life is. In contrast, those in the West often have a deceptive sense of security and entitlement, expecting a certain quality of life almost as a right. It takes unexpected tragedy, illness, accident, an economic crisis or the break-up of a relationship to shake us out of an illusion of control.
The story of God’s dealings with his people demonstrates precisely this process. The image evoked of Jerusalem is of women proudly exercising their power, swaying their hips and flirting with their eyes (16). Although the description may be of actual women, corresponding to earlier portrayals of male arrogance, it is more likely to symbolize the city overall (cf. Isa. 1:21; 4:4). The illustration is particularly apt because the position of women in the ancient Near East was precarious. Those blessed with beauty, physical allure and wealth seemingly had the world at their feet—yet legally and socially their status and identity were derived from being attached to a man. Without a suitable male—either because of the lack of physical beauty or material assets, or because wars had depleted the number of available men—a woman’s vulnerability would be exposed.
God says that when the trappings of power and influence disappear, only shame and humiliation will remain (17–26). Jerusalem will be like a woman so debased that she would beg for marriage in order to have some social status, even if she had to provide her own food and clothing, which would normally be expected from her husband. (Exodus 21:9,10 speaks of the expectation of a female slave married to her master, which is all the more true for a free woman.) When Jerusalem was finally ransacked in 587 B.C., her wealth looted, her beautiful buildings destroyed and her warriors dead, the veil of illusion was torn apart at last.
Apply
“All that is not eternal is eternally out of date” (C. S. Lewis, 1898–1963). Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? If you see it as true, in what ways does it impact your life?
Closing prayer
Lord, give me eyes to see the illusions I am sometimes under, thinking that I can safeguard my own security. May I remember that I depend on You for everything.
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