Isaiah 3

For, behold, the Lord, GOD of Armies, takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah supply and support, the whole supply of bread, and the whole supply of water;

the mighty man, the man of war, the judge, the prophet, the diviner, the elder,

the captain of fifty, the honorable man, the counselor, the skilled craftsman, and the clever enchanter.

I will give boys to be their princes, and children shall rule over them.

The people will be oppressed, everyone by another, and everyone by his neighbor. The child will behave himself proudly against the old man, and the wicked against the honorable.

Indeed a man shall take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying, “You have clothing, you be our ruler, and let this ruin be under your hand.”

In that day he will cry out, saying, “I will not be a healer; for in my house is neither bread nor clothing. You shall not make me ruler of the people.”

For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen; because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.

The look of their faces testify against them. They parade their sin like Sodom. They don’t hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought disaster upon themselves.

Tell the righteous that it will be well with them, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds.

Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them, for the deeds of their hands will be paid back to them.

As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. My people, those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.

The LORD stands up to contend, and stands to judge the peoples.

The LORD will enter into judgment with the elders of his people and their leaders: “It is you who have eaten up the vineyard. The plunder of the poor is in your houses.

What do you mean that you crush my people, and grind the face of the poor?” says the Lord, GOD of Armies.

Moreover the LORD said, “Because the daughters of Zion are arrogant, and walk with outstretched necks and flirting eyes, walking daintily as they go, jingling ornaments on their feet;

therefore the Lord brings sores on the crown of the head of the women of Zion, and the LORD will make their scalps bald.”

In that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, the headbands, the crescent necklaces,

the earrings, the bracelets, the veils,

the headdresses, the ankle chains, the sashes, the perfume containers, the charms,

the signet rings, the nose rings,

the fine robes, the capes, the cloaks, the purses,

the hand mirrors, the fine linen garments, the tiaras, and the shawls.

It shall happen that instead of sweet spices, there shall be rottenness; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well set hair, baldness; instead of a robe, a wearing of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.

Your men shall fall by the sword, and your mighty in the war.

Her gates shall lament and mourn. She shall be desolate and sit on the ground.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter pronounces divine judgment on Judah and Jerusalem for their moral and spiritual corruption, particularly targeting the leadership and the pride of the people. The Lord removes both material provisions and godly governance, leaving the nation vulnerable and disordered. Through a series of prophetic declarations, Isaiah exposes the consequences of defiance against God—social collapse, incompetent rule, and the humiliation of once-proud individuals, especially the elite and the women of Zion.

Flow.

The chapter begins with the Lord withdrawing essential provisions and qualified leaders from Judah and Jerusalem, leaving only the unqualified to govern (vv. 1–3).
It then depicts societal disintegration marked by disrespect, instability, and desperation, as unfit youth and children rule (vv. 4–7).
Isaiah identifies the cause: the sinfulness of the people and leaders, who oppress the poor and live in open rebellion against God (vv. 8–15).
Finally, the Lord pronounces judgment on the pride of the women of Zion, describing the reversal of their finery into signs of shame and mourning (vv. 16–26).

Connections.
Following chapter 2, which ends with a vision of the exaltation of the Lord’s house and the humbling of human pride, chapter 3 makes immediate application by showing how that humbling unfolds in historical judgment. Where chapter 2 foresees the Lord rising against the lofty, chapter 3 specifies how—through the removal of leaders, societal breakdown, and the fall of Jerusalem. The desolation described here prepares the way for chapter 4, which speaks of a remnant purified by grace and holiness, a holy seed emerging from the judgment of the felled tree.

What it teaches.
God governs human society, and when civil and spiritual leaders abuse their authority—especially through oppression of the poor and self-exaltation—He holds them accountable. The judgment on Judah reflects a pattern in which God removes blessing when His people persist in sin, yet even in judgment preserves a remnant (WCF 5.6; LD 21 HC). Pride, both national and personal, provokes divine opposition (WCF 19.3), and external display—especially when rooted in vanity and injustice—is no substitute for true righteousness. The Lord “will enter into judgment with the elders of his people” (v. 14), reflecting His commitment to justice and covenant faithfulness (WLC Q. 45).

Apply.
The collapse of order and the reversal of glory reveal that neither wealth nor status can shield a people from the consequences of collective defiance against God.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.