The Lord Jesus Christ is seen in so many places in the OT. Isaiah again shows us that he saw much of the ministry of Jesus as he prophesied about Him more than 700 years before the Lord’s earthly ministry.
Isaiah 3: Judgment on Judah and Jerusalem
1 For behold, the Lord GOD of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water;
2 the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder,
3 the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms.
4 And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them.
5 And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable.
6 For a man will take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying: "You have a cloak; you shall be our leader, and this heap of ruins shall be under your rule";
7 in that day he will speak out, saying: "I will not be a healer; in my house there is neither bread nor cloak; you shall not make me leader of the people."
8 For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence.
9 For the look on their faces bears witness against them; they proclaim their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves.
10 Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds.
11 Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him.
12 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.
13 The LORD has taken his place to contend; he stands to judge peoples.
14 The LORD will enter into judgment with the elders and princes of his people: "It is you who have devoured the vineyard, the spoil of the poor is in your houses.
15 What do you mean by crushing my people, by grinding the face of the poor?" declares the Lord GOD of hosts.
16 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.
18 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.
24 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.
Isaiah 4:
1 And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, "We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name; take away our reproach."
The Branch of the LORD Glorified
2 In that day the branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel.
3 And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem,
4 when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning.
5 Then the LORD will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy.
6 There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.
Things to think about…
1. Isaiah 3 paints a very graphic picture of what will happen to Judah. The ten northern tribes were being judged and taken away by the Assyrians and many of of the towns in Judah will also be taken by the Assyrians. Jerusalem would also come under siege by the Assyrians. Even though 46 towns were taken at that time Jerusalem was miraculously spared. But ultimately this prophesy regards the siege and destruction by the Babylonians from 605BC-586BC.
2. Sadly, when the Word of God is not preached faithfully by those whom the Lord has called to do so faithfully, we have the situation as described in Isa 3:12 “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.” Strength, wisdom, grace and holiness should adorn those who lead the Lord’s people. Prophets, priests and princes and elders had all turned aside from following the Law of Moses. Isaiah says “It is you who have devoured the vineyard, the spoil of the poor is in your houses.”, Isa 3:14. As such the people had gone astray. We particularly see a description of the women in Judah at this time and the judgement that was coming upon them, Isa 3:16-24. This description of the women of Judah describes much of what we see on social media and influencers in our day. Outward adornment will be abased if it is not combined with grace and holiness.
3. Isaiah sees a vision of Jerusalem at the final end after the destruction of the city, “And her gates shall lament and mourn; empty, she shall sit on the ground.”, Isa 3:26. Jeremiah gives a very graphic depiction of the city of Jerusalem in the book of Lamentations. While the godly kings of Hezekiah and Josiah are still in the future from this point of writing, Isaiah here is saying that lament for the city is not far off. The captivity in Babylon would arrive.
4. Isaiah 4:1 the women are left without an ongoing legacy and are desperate to have a lasting identity. They cry out to any male in the city whether worthy or otherwise saying “We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name; take away our reproach.” There is only One who, a husband who takes away all reproach, the Branch Isa 4:2ff.
5. Isa 4:2 describes the ministry of the Branch. We know Him as David’s greater Son, from the root of Jesse, the Lord Jesus Christ. In the final days of judgement before Christ return there will be a horrible time persecution against the Jewish people. But of those that remain and stay faithful to the Lord Isaiah prophecies about them that there are individuals who have “been recorded for life in Jerusalem”, Isa 4:2. He will lead them again in the Millennial kingdom. The reproach over the women will be gone, vs 6 and He will lead and cover them as He did in the days of Moses “over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy”, vs 5. Christ is our shelter from the storm and rain, vs 6.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. Ric Benson will be looking at the life of Christ in the church.
Pastor Jay has started the young adult’s life group after Sunday mornings café time. Open discussion around difficult topics and defending our faith is the focus.
Prayer Points
1. New people that they are welcomed into church life.
2. Those who are considering baptism.
3. Church finances to cover all expenses.
4. Pray for of Kids@Church, Life groups and church community days.
5. The conflicts in Israel and Ukraine. Praise for the peace of Jesus to reign.
6. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Monday afternoons. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
7. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. More visitors on Sunday, pray that they are encouraged.
2. Continue to pray for Tad to gain strength at home. Continue to pray for Glenys as she now has a splint to gain full use in her left arm. This is very frustrating for Glenys as you can imagine. It has been many weeks and she is desiring relief. Any encouragement you can give will be greatly appreciated.
3. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Working Bee – Saturday March 25th 8am to 12pm. Please sign the jobs task sheet.
2. Life Groups Wednesday night at Church – 6:30pm.
3. Young Adults apologetics Life group after the service – 25th Feb 2024.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for March...
Q. 18. What did God give Adam and Eve besides bodies? A. He gave them souls that could never die.
