What God's Judgment on a Nation Looks Like - Part 2

Israel's demise is a case study for us. What does spiritual decline do to a nation? In the previous post, we saw an absence of good leadership, sickness, and pride in their sin. What else can we expect? Isaiah 3 tells us what kind of leaders will replace the ones God takes away.

Isaiah 3:12 (ESV) My people—infants are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, your guides mislead you and they have swallowed up the course of your paths.

Notice that God puts children and women in charge. And what do the leaders do? They "swallow up the course of their paths." What does that mean? I like the New Living translation: "they send you down the wrong road."

When God judges a nation, immature leaders will replace Godly counsel and lead the people astray. Yet there's still more to come.

Isaiah 3:16–17 (ESV) The LORD said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet, 17, therefore, the Lord will strike with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will lay bare their secret parts.

Perhaps a sign of judgment coming is the prideful spirit of a nation's women. The proud spirit referenced here is expressed in wanton sexual lust. A nation is far gone when grown women act like teenage boys. 

Following God's removal of godly leadership and replacing it with the immature members of society, the beautiful adornment that was Israel's because of her previous faithfulness will be removed piece by piece. 

Isaiah 3:18–23 (ESV) In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents; 19 the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves; 20 the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets; 21 the signet rings and nose rings; 22 the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags; 23 the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the veils.

The point that is clear from Isaiah 1-3 is this: God's judgment on a nation happens in phases. And it happens because of their own ignorance of God's word. They don't even see it happening.

When a nation finds its streets filled with homeless encampments instead of industry and finely decorated homes, the worst is coming for them. The truth that society fails to realize is that all blessings and prosperity come from God. To deny Him and depart is to embrace disgrace and degradation.

Isaiah 3:24–26 (ESV) Instead of perfume there will be rottenness; and instead of a belt, a rope; and instead of well-set hair, baldness; and instead of a rich robe, a skirt of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty. 25 Your men shall fall by the sword and your mighty men in battle. 26 And her gates shall lament and mourn; empty, she shall sit on the ground.

Notice the picture here of beauty being turned into ugliness. "Branding" in verse 24 could refer to tattoos, what a picture of our present world! The final straw here in chapter 3 is military weakness and defeat. 

I fear that for much of the cultural west, we are knee-deep in Isaiah 3. We have seen progressive decay in our courts and halls of government. Now it has spilled over into our city streets. Will people wake up? Isaiah's testimony will show that though most will not, God will save for Himself a people spared. His chosen remain and eventually restore, but the process to flush it out is long. 

In reading Isaiah, we may be made uncomfortable by its warnings. But prophets are known for uncomfortable messages before offering the comfort of God.