Reliving History
This chapter is hard to read alone. Isaiah chapters 3-5 seem to run sequentially and build upon each other. Even though I will discuss specifics of chapters 4 and 5 in individual articles, it is beneficial to read them together. Since beginning Isaiah, there has been an urge to examine the context of Isaiah’s life. The beginning of Isaiah clearly states he lived between the reigns of Uzziah and Hezekiah. The history of these kings is recorded in 2 Chronicles 26-32. Isaiah chapter 6 begins, saying “In the year of King Uzziah’s death,” which leads one to assume that chapters 1-5 of Isaiah were written during Uzziah’s rule. In 2 Chronicles 26:22, it states that “The rest of the acts of Uzziah, first to last, the prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz, has written.” We also know it is the same Isaiah that recorded the book under examination; Isaiah 1:1 states, “The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz.” These are my conclusions then: Isaiah chapters 1-5, 2 Chronicles 26 and 2 Kings 15 are records of the same historical dates. (Note: in 2 Kings 15:2, King Uzziah of Judah is called Azariah, but it is the same person as evidenced by his age of crowning, (16 years old), his mother and father (Jeholiah/Jechiliah of Jerusalem and Amaziah and the Lord striking him with leprosy which he had until his death(2 Kings 15:5 and 2 Chronicles 26:21.)
The purpose of examining chapter 3 in conjunction with additional portions of scripture is to broaden understanding. These people lived and breathed just like us. The judgements proclaimed in Isaiah are not in a vacuum. God was addressing real life issues with the Kingdom of Judah. What does Isaiah chapter 3 say then? Isaiah chapter 3 basically describes God breaking Judah and Jerusalem down. Children will rule, the people will become oppressed and their guides lead Judah astray. Why?
“Because their speech and their actions are against the Lord, to rebel against His glorious presence. The expression of their faces bear witness against them. And they display their sin like Sodom; they do not even conceal it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves.” – Isaiah 3:8-9
That last line is hard to swallow: “Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves.” More often than naught, it is easy to blame others for the bad things that befall us. Yet, as the saying goes: “They had it coming.” Actions have consequences and some consequences really suck. Even worse, these people were not ashamed of their actions. The people of Judah were openly doing wrong and enjoyed it. There was no remorse and no repentance. It makes me have pity on Uzziah, the king of Judah at the time. 2 Chronicles 26:4 says that “[Uzziah] did right in the sight of the Lord according to all that his father Amaziah had done.” Later in life Uzziah made a pretty big mistake that cost him dearly, but that is a discussion for another day.
Despite this, it seems the people of Judah did not follow the Lord (2 Chron. 27:2). At the time, the goddess Asherah and god Baal were worshiped throughout Judah. Most people are aware of Baal, but don’t know about Asherah. According to the Canaanite mythology, Asherah was the consort/wife/partner of El (Yahweh/God) and Baal was the son of El and Asherah (Baal’s position as a “son” vs. “just another god” is a point of debate among historians). Throughout ancient Israel and Judah’s history, the people are constantly worshiping these false deities. God is consistently trying to get the people of Israel and Judah to remove these false gods from their lives. Yet, they don’t. The result is Isaiah’s proclamation to Israel and ultimately the invasion of Babylon and their enslavement; again. Isaiah says that because of their pride, the “daughters of Zion” will become ugly and lose their “sexy” clothes; I’m paraphrasing, but that is the idea. Then all the great men will die in war. It is a horrible state. If one fast-forwards several generations, it comes to pass with the invasion of Babylon.
Personally, when reading the Old Testament prophets, it can be “off-putting” to read the harsh punishments and decrees with no context. Questions such as, “how can God be so heartless?” pop-up in my mind. However, when the situation is examined, these people were pretty messed up. “Everyone loves a bribe,” “companions of thieves” (Is. 1:23), “The plunder of the poor is in your houses” (Is. 3:14) and “They worship the work of their hands” (Is. 2:8). In simple terms: they were corrupt.
Here the challenge of this passage changes. In my own life, when I look out at the world, what worldview/lens do I wear? Am I watching the struggles of men with a human perspective or God’s perspective? From man’s perspective, all actions can be justified in every situation. We must be careful to act well and properly grant credit. My ability to think, write, work and live are results of God’s mercy in my life. Without His grace to aid my endeavors, my existence would be in shambles regardless of physical successes. Today’s reading is both a warning and encouragement: the people in the Bible are just like you and me. They are foolish, stupid and self-centered people attempting to achieve their own whims. Yet, there is hope for those that deny popular flow for the narrow Way. Isaiah 3:10 “Say to the righteous that it will go well with them, for they will eat the fruit of their actions.” Oh, what a blessing to hear! Even in all the corruption in ancient Israel and contemporary America, God does not forget those that seek to be righteous in His ways. I need that hope; to know that my struggles to follow the Way of Christ are not in vain.
