JUDGMENT ON CORRUPT LEADERS

Isaiah 3:1-15 / Keywords 3:14

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.

 Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah

3:1 See now, the Lord,

    the Lord Almighty,

is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah

    both supply and support:

all supplies of food and all supplies of water,

2     the hero and the warrior,

the judge and the prophet,

    the diviner and the elder,

3 the captain of fifty and the man of rank,

    the counselor, skilled craftsman and clever enchanter.

4 “I will make mere youths their officials;

    children will rule over them.”

5 People will oppress each other—

    man against man, neighbor against neighbor.

The young will rise up against the old,

    the nobody against the honored.

6 A man will seize one of his brothers

    in his father’s house, and say,

“You have a cloak, you be our leader;

    take charge of this heap of ruins!”

7 But in that day he will cry out,

    “I have no remedy.

I have no food or clothing in my house;

    do not make me the leader of the people.”

8 Jerusalem staggers,

    Judah is falling;

their words and deeds are against the Lord,

    defying his glorious presence.

9 The look on their faces testifies against them;

    they parade their sin like Sodom;

    they do not hide it.

Woe to them!

    They have brought disaster upon themselves.

10 Tell the righteous it will be well with them,

    for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.

11 Woe to the wicked!

    Disaster is upon them!

They will be paid back

    for what their hands have done.

12 Youths oppress my people,

    women rule over them.

My people, your guides lead you astray;

    they turn you from the path.

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.

1. This passage may be prophesying the captivity of God’s people—a time of judgment for Judah and Jerusalem. They would lack resources and support. Most of all, they would lack real leadership. Nobody would want to step up to help and care for others. Similarly, when we only see what we lack, we despair. But God calls each of us to lead, to step up to offer even what little we can to serve those in need.

 

2. The LORD will judge the people for their wickedness. He will judge the elders and leaders who have ruined God’s vineyard by oppressing God’s people. Such leadership only cares about their own power and prosperity at the expense of others.

 

3. True leadership resembles Christ’s servant leadership, which reached out to the least of people, “the least of these” (Matt 25:40). Although he lacked political support and riches, Jesus brought healing, hope, and salvation to the marginalized and oppressed and to all who came to him.

 

Prayer Lord, give us the courage to step up, not out of duty or honor, but out of faith that you can bless our hands, our money, and our talents, even if it seems small in our own eyes.

One Word Step up to serve others in need