Page 9 - Isaiah Student Worktext

We might wonder sometimes why God allows certain ‘bad’ leaders to stay in power. Sometimes, the
bad is used to prepare the next generation.

V. 4-5 God will give children to be our princes. Juvenile adults are our rulers and they are totally
incompetent. Young people think they know more than adults—not sure if that’s ever been untrue.
People will be oppressed, and children will be insolent toward their elders.

V. 6-7 Looking for leadership based on appearances. Because you have clothing, come be our leader.

V. 8 A city doesn’t have to be in decay to be ruined. Ruin refers to the character, or lack thereof. Even
though Jerusalem and Judah were still there and appeared to be successful places, Jerusalem had
stumbled, and Judah had fallen.

V. 9 The look on their countenance was a witness against them. Declare their sin as Sodom…pride in the
sins that they commit instead of shame. Hypocrites hide their sin; those who take pride in their sin are
hypocrites because they say sin is good.

V. 10-11 Now Isaiah speaks to the righteous. They shall eat the fruit, enjoy the benefits, of their
righteousness. The wicked on the other hand will be forced to face the consequences of their evil deeds.

V. 12 Anyone ever seen anyone who was oppressed by their children? Parents who are ruled by, under
the absolute control of their children?

‘Women shall rule over them’. Some believe this means that people will be punished by having women
in charge, and in that day and age it certainly was not the norm.

We cannot sure if this that was written nearly 3000 years ago means that women shouldn’t be in
positions of authority today…obviously Jesus changed the way that women were thought of and brought
them a new era of respect.

Essentially it just means that there will be that lack of moral leadership.

V. 13-14 ‘For you have eaten up the vineyard and crushed the faces of the poor. Here it is
again…condemnation for failing to tend to the needs of the poor. God’s word calls us, over and over
again, to meet the needs of the poor.

V. 16-24 Is an attack on women who are dependent upon their looks. The daughters of Zion are haughty
and walk with outstretched necks and wanton eyes.

The same would apply to men. Modesty is always appropriate. There are many different articles of
apparel that are mentioned by name. Does this mean that no one should wear jewelry or otherwise
attempt to enhance their appearance?

No, but it does mean that it should not be something that we depend on or that we put above our
allegiance to the Lord.

V. 24 These are the results of dependence on beauty. Instead of a sweet smell, there will be a stench.
Instead of a sash, there will be rope. Instead of well-set hair, baldness.

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