March 4 - Tribulation ... then Hope

March 4 - Tribulation ... then Hope - Isaiah 3:1-4:6

Isaiah continues to prophesy about Jerusalem and Judah. Much of this chapter regards the time when Babylon will destroy the land.

Before we look at what is going to happen, read why it is going to happen in Isaiah 3:8-9. We become so complacent in our relationships that we forget who is watching us. God is always watching! In these two verses, the things that the Israelites are doing tend to be things that we are just as guilty of: speaking against the Lord - maybe it's just claiming our own sovereignty over our lives, defying his glorious presence, parading sin like Sodom - we tend to find ways to justify sin - if we have to justify it ... it's still sin. These people, much like we are today, were very open about their sin.

In Isaiah 3:14-15, we find more reasons that the Lord is angry. They have ruined his vineyard - that is - His people. They distorted the message of the Lord so much that those who were searching for the truth couldn't find it. Today it is obviously found in hypocrites and those that use religion to make a quick dollar. In verse 15, he says that they are crushing his people. Not only that, but they are stealing from the poor and keeping it for themselves! I would wonder if the extreme materialism we live in today while there are people with no food for dinner would constitute this level of the Lord's anger.

Moving on to Isaiah 3:16 we find that the women are parading around drawing attention to their bodies. Their necks are outstretched, they flirt and 'trip along with mincing steps.' (that's awesome)

What is going to happen? Things are going to get so bad that the leaders will lose their positions and mere children will be running things. If you simply have a cloak, you can take charge - but, all that you will have charge of is ruins. (Isaiah 3:1-7)

Isaiah 3:11-12 tells us that the inexperienced will be in charge and by the time we read through to Isaiah 3:26-4:1, we find that things are in such bad shape, women are reducing themselves to polygamy so that they have some sort of protection from the world.

In that day

But, there is hope. Isaiah interjects a ray of hope in Isaiah 4:2-6. The branch of the Lord is a Messianic title for Jesus. Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy. It isn't about wealth or prestige. The cleansing will be done by the Lord - not by anything that mankind can do.

He will bring shelter and protection. He will be a refuge and hiding place.