Chapter 3
In 1992, a new cable TV channel launched—The Cartoon Network. I was already an adult by then, but I remember thinking, “How cool is that?” As a kid, I loved waking up early every Saturday morning to watch Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, and all the Looney Tunes. I also enjoyed shows like The Smurfs, Justice League, Scooby-Doo, and of course, The Amazing Spider-Man. I’d flip through the TV Guide just to make sure I didn’t miss my favorite cartoons. And now, there was a whole channel just for them.
I’ll admit, I was curious when the network first aired, so I tuned in not long after it launched. But to my surprise, I couldn’t find any of the cartoons I grew up with. Instead, there were all these strange new shows I didn’t recognize—some even geared more toward adults. Definitely not the kind of stuff my parents would have let me watch. I guess that’s part of growing up—realizing that some things we loved as kids change or fade away.
That brings me to the book of Isaiah. It stands out in a few unique ways. It has 66 chapters, just like the Bible has 66 books. The first 39 books of the Bible—what we call the Old Testament—focus a lot on God’s law, His expectations, and the consequences of turning away from Him. Similarly, the first 39 chapters of Isaiah speak about judgment, broken fellowship with God, and a call to return to Him.
But then, just like the New Testament begins with the book of Matthew—the beginning of hope for humanity—Isaiah chapter 40 brings a shift in tone. It starts to offer comfort and encouragement to Israel. And in these later chapters, we find some of the clearest and most beautiful prophecies about Jesus. In that sense, the book of Isaiah feels like a miniature version of the Bible itself.
This chapter, in particular, caught my attention. As you read it, don’t view it with judgment toward Judah and Jerusalem. Think of them instead as the “older sibling” from whom we’re supposed to learn. Read it with an eye toward your own nation, state, city, community—even your own home.
In this chapter, we see one of the ways God can bring judgment on a people: by removing wise, godly, and capable leaders and allowing the inexperienced or immature to take their place. This isn’t just about young people in terms of age—it’s more about the lack of wisdom that can come with immaturity. You’ve probably heard the old saying, “I wish I was 17 again and knew everything.” It speaks to how confident we were in our youth, even when we didn’t really understand life.
When immature or unwise people gain influence and power, it can be a sign of judgment—not blessing. Some may argue, “But the economy’s strong, the stock market’s up—clearly, God is blessing us!” That’s exactly what was happening in this chapter of Isaiah. There was abundance. But spiritual immaturity often mistakes material wealth for divine approval. The spiritually mature know that true blessing comes from living in God’s will.
When I read this chapter, my instinct isn’t to point fingers at Israel. Instead, it makes me want to kneel in prayer for my country, my state, my community, and the leaders who guide them. It calls me to examine my own spiritual health—and to look at what’s really going on around me—not just in my bank account or the Dow Jones. Those things are not the true measure of God’s blessing. They are merely a child’s view of what they think a blessing is.
Judgment on Jerusalem and Judah
1 See now, the Lord, [Adonai – master, sovereign] the LORD [Yahweh – Triune God] Almighty, is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: all supplies of food and all supplies of water, 2 the hero and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, 3 the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor, skilled craftsman and clever enchanter.
4 “I will make mere youths their officials; children will rule over them.” [One way God may bring judgement on a nation is to curse them with incompetent, ungodly leaders – giving people what they think their hearts desire.]
5 People will oppress each other–man against man, neighbor against neighbor. The young will rise up against the old, the nobody against the honored.
6 A man will seize one of his brothers in his father’s house, and say, “You have a cloak, you be our leader; take charge of this heap of ruins!” 7 But in that day he will cry out, “I have no remedy. I have no food or clothing in my house; do not make me the leader of the people.”
8 Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the LORD, (Matthew 12:36-37 every idle word men speak will give account…) defying his glorious presence. 9 The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves.
10 Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. 11 Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done.
12 Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. My people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path.
13 The LORD takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people. 14 The LORD enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: “It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses. 15 What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty.
16 The LORD says, “The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, strutting along with swaying hips, with ornaments jingling on their ankles. 17 Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the LORD will make their scalps bald.”
18 In that day [this term always speaks of a coming event] the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, 19 the earrings and bracelets and veils, 20 the headdresses and anklets and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, 21 the signet rings and nose rings, 22 the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses 23 and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls.
24 Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-dressed hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding. 25 Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle. 26 The gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.
