Humble trust in the Lord

Probably looking forward to the exile to come...

What is he saying?

The Lord is going to more precisely judge Jerusalem/Judah by removing their leadership that is corrupt and in whom they place their trust.

v. 1 - 3 The TRUSTWORTHY ONE WILL TAKE ACTION - The Almighty Lord will take away all they rely upon

It begins with the assertion that the things Judah has trusted in apart from God will be removed

Oswalt, J. N. (2003). Isaiah (p. 98). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

v. 4 - 7 THE ACTION IS JUDGMENT BY THE ABSENCE OF LEADERSHIP - There will be a vacuum of leadership (anarchy) - A rather ironic turn of events happens where God willfully gives them immature leaders

v. 8 - 9 THIS JUDGEMENT WILL BE JUST AGAINST JUDAH The cause of all of this - They have brought it upon themselves

Prophetic perfect indicates “Jerusalem will fall”

“To provoke” - a phrase indicating motive - pointing to the heart.

God could plainly observe this open rebellion because it was clearly written all over their faces (3:9a; in legal terminology, they testify against themselves) and evident in their words (3:8b), so there was no doubt about their guilt.

Smith, G. V. (2007). . (E. R. Clendenen, Ed.) (p. 147). Nashville: B & H Publishing Group.

They have defied “the eyes of his glory” (lit.; niv “his glorious presence”),

Oswalt, J. N. (2003). Isaiah (p. 98). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

v. 10 - 11 THE JUDGMENT IS ACCORDING TO WHAT THEY HAVE PLANTED - Righteous vs. the wicked

v. 12 - How this judgment is being carried out (address to the people about the leaders)

v. 12 - 15 THE JUDGMENT IS SPOKEN PRIMARILY AGAINST THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP - The Court room with the Lord and the Leadership (4 apparent charges)

v. 12 - How this judgment is being carried out (address to the people about the leaders)

Why will they be removed? Why will they be taken into captivity? Why will their nation be humiliated? The simple answer is that they are not great men at all.

Oswalt, J. N. (2003). Isaiah (p. 99). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Oppressive - to force to work

Mislead

Spoil the poor

Crush the people

v. 15 Question of the Lord, How could someone do this to my people?

Why is he saying this?

Apparently, God's people had placed tremendous confidence in men as their leaders. Historically, this would have been evident by the leagues (with other countries) that they formed for the purpose of self-defense. (also, remember how the kingship started)

Historically, probably Uzziah is in authority.

What is the principle?

Faith in the LORD requires that our ultimate confidence be in him over/above the leadership of men.

...the hopelessness of trusting in the specific accomplishments of the human leaders in Judah at that time, a natural progression that is an application of the general exhortation not to put your trust in mankind in 2:22.

Smith, G. V. (2007). . (E. R. Clendenen, Ed.) (p. 144). Nashville: B & H Publishing Group.

People should not trust in human leaders to solve their difficulties (2:22; 3:7) because they do not have the power to bring about any real, lasting solutions.

Smith, G. V. (2007). . (E. R. Clendenen, Ed.) (p. 144). Nashville: B & H Publishing Group.

The theological principle is: you will reap what you sow (cf. ).

Smith, G. V. (2007). . (E. R. Clendenen, Ed.) (p. 148). Nashville: B & H Publishing Group.

Where is Christ in all of this?

A specific example comes to mind in when Christ would not entrust himself to men because he knew what was in them. Christ showed forth the perfect confidence in the LORD over/above confidence in the corrupt leaders of his time and over/above even his followers. Examples of Christ's faith in the LORD can be found in the wilderness temptation, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Crucifixion cries from the Cross, his promises that His Father would fulfill (like sending the Comforter)...etc

How does this apply today?

The application regarding genuine trust in the Lord

My tendency is to say that I have greater faith in the Lord over/above other men, but to live as though my faith is greater in men rather than the Lord.

Why we give credibility to some: In a spiritual leadership sense, I tend to give greater worth/value to people who have more published writings/speak at certain venues...etc

Politically, there is a temptation to think that a particular party or man like Donald Trump may be the answer.

The application regarding pride & humility

This also shows a tendency to manipulate by the use of words, meaning we say our trust in the Lord, but decisions/emotions are more greatly impacted by men than by what the Lord has done.

Truth is that this shows a lack of faith in the Lord. WHAT IS IT THAT MOTIVATES AN INDIVIDUAL TO REJECT TRUSTING IN THE LORD FOR THE SAKE OF TRUSTING IN MEN?

Ultimately, it is Pride.

Where is Christ in all of this?

A specific example comes to mind in when Christ would not entrust himself to men because he knew what was in them.

Christ showed forth the perfect confidence in the LORD over/above confidence in the corrupt leaders of his time and over/above even his followers.

Examples of Christ's faith in the LORD can be found in the wilderness temptation,

the Garden of Gethsemane,

the Crucifixion cries from the Cross,

his promises that His Father would fulfill (like sending the Comforter)...etc

In Christ, we find the Ultimate motivation and reason for trusting the Lord. In Christ, we receive the Spirit of God who yearns to cry forth to our Father.