In my last post, we began our look at God’s Judgment on Y’hudah and Yerushalayim ~ Part 1 beginning in Yesha’yahu 3:1-7. In this post, we continue to look at God’s Judgment on Y’hudah and Yerushalayim in Part 2 covering Yesha’yahu 3:8-15.

⁸ For Yerushalayim is ruined, and Y’hudah has fallen; because their words and deeds defy Adonai, in open provocation of His glory.

Although Y’hudah was experiencing a time of prosperity, the handwriting of decay was on the wall. The Assyrians were already camped at their border. But because the economy was rolling along, many people were not listening to Yesha’yahu warning of destruction.

Sha’ul told us that the signs of the end of our age would be like birth pangs (1 Thessalonians 5:3). In other words, times of travail will be followed by times of peace. It is the wise individual who doesn’t get lulled by times of calm, but rather is constantly aware of the nearness of the Lord’s coming.

⁹ Their very look witnesses against them! They parade their sin, like S’dom; they don’t even try to hide it – all the worse for them! – they bring evil on themselves.

Yesha’yahu compares Y’hudah to S’dom, the preeminent early example of open, flagrant sin as well as God’s determined judgment (see Genesis 19). Although Yesha’yahu was prophesying the end of their society as they knew it, the people weren’t listening. Instead, they flaunted their sin even as those in S’dom.

¹⁰ Say that it will go well with the righteous, that they will enjoy the fruit of their actions; ¹¹ but woe to the wicked, it will go badly with him; for what he has done will be done to him. ¹² My people – children, oppress them, and women are ruling over them. My people! Your guides lead you astray and obliterate the paths you should follow.

But not all people will experience the severe judgment of God. The righteous will find reward in a good life, and the wicked will suffer. In both cases, they will get what they deserve. Their guides sound vaguely similar to the Anti-Messiah.

¹³ Adonai rises to accuse; He stands to judge the peoples. ¹⁴ Adonai presents the indictment against the leaders and officers of His people: “It is you who devour the vineyard; in your houses is plunder taken from the poor. ¹⁵ What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding down the faces of the poor?” says Adonai Elohim-Tzva’ot.” ~ Isaiah 3:8-15 (CJB)

In Acts 7:56, we read of Yeshua standing to welcome Stephen home. Here, however, we see the Lord standing not to welcome but to judge.

Yesha’yahu returned to the legal language with which the book began. The leaders were guilty of destroying the vineyard, the land of Y’hudah, through their exploitation of the poor.

Those in authority had abused their power and authority. As a result, they were about to find themselves under the authority of the invading Assyrians.

In my next post, we will conclude our exploration of God’s Judgment on Y’hudah and Yerushalayim ~ Part 3 in Yesha’yahu 3:16-4:1.

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