Isaiah 3:13-4:6

The LORD alone must be exalted.  But in Judah this is not happening. 

·        3:13-15: Judah’s leaders do not exalt the LORD.  The elders and princes took advantage of the people, having eaten up the vineyard (a picture of the nation).  Other prophets said the same thing.  Ezekiel said the same (in Ezek. 34:1-10); the shepherds were judged for getting fat off the sheep they fleeced.  In God’s system for all nations governmental leaders serve God and the people (Rom. 13:1ff).  Failure to do this is the definition of oppression.

·        3:16-4:1: The women of Judah also do not exalt the LORD.  Note the logical consequences of judgment (the law of the harvest; what you sow, you reap.)

o   3:16-17: They walk with heads high in a way that exposes their pride.  Their heads will be scarred and they will be humiliated in nakedness.

o   3:18-24: All their luxurious finery (described in v18-23) that defined their proud status in society will be replaced with a stench, a rope around the waist, baldness and sackcloth.

o   3:35-4:1: They will lose their husbands through whom they were able to live in luxury and instead settle for any man willing to take them in and give them a name.  (Note the similarity of 4:1 with 3:6 where any man will be qualified to lead the country.)

This is not bashing women nor does it make a statement about a woman looking nice.  But the rule is moderation (1 Tim. 2:9-10; 1 Pet. 3:3-4); beyond that is to be haughty, calling attention to oneself rather than to God.  The daughters of Judah are singled out because in that society it became fashionable to carry oneself in a manner that was self-exalting.  It was part of the problem.

When you realize that the mystery of God, the truth that God will always exalt His Son, is the driving principle of history, then we are not surprised that at this point we come to the great Messianic prophecy of 4:2:

In that day, the Branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious; and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing for those of Israel who have escaped.

The Branch is a common reference to the Messiah in His connection with King David (for a great study compare Isa. 11:1; Jer. 23:5; 33:15; Zech. 3:8; 6:12).  In His day Israel will, in fact, be glorious (v2), holy (v3) and secure (v4-6).  But it will be glorious in the context of the glories of the Branch.  And notice: it will not be because of Israel itself is great.  Those of Israel who have escaped is a reference to the remnant; Israel’s beauty at that time will be the result of the ultimate in governmental leadership, the Son of David, God’s Beloved Son.

Consider this!  We live to exalt the LORD.  And God is exalted when His Son is exalted.  Jesus is LORD to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:11).  Is this true in your life? your worship? your work? your home?