Grace Community
God still speaks today - through His perfectly sufficient written Word. What God says satisfies our intellectual hunger, and what He says shows the Beauty of His love for His people. Truth and Beauty come together in one place: God in His Word.
Grace Community
Isaiah 3:1-4:1
In Isaiah chapter 2, we saw that God’s judgment will come against human pride, abundance, and all the things humanity holds precious and in high esteem. But in chapter 3, God’s judgment is to remove the necessities of life and the necessities for human societal flourishing.
1) What does God’s judgment show us about the foolishness of human pride in thinking we don’t need Him? How is the removal of the pillars of a society’s structure (from the strong leader to the local leader, to the tradesmen and the counsellor) a punishment? (Consider Judges 21:25; Romans 13:1–5). Why do you think God will also remove the prophet? (Consider Amos 8:11–12; Proverbs 1:22–31) How is God giving humanity the desires of their hearts the ultimate form of punishment? (Consider vv. 4–5)
2) What do verses 8–9 tell us about the extent of the pride and arrogance of Judah and Jerusalem? How have we seen this kind of behaviour in Western nations? In what ways do people in the West—who have a Christian heritage—defy His glorious presence? (Consider where the glory and presence of God is today: 1 Corinthians 3:16–17; Romans 1:19–20) What does this tell us about the importance of Christian speech and deeds?
3) What do verses 13–14 tell us about what is of utmost importance to God? How could we make this a greater priority in our church?
4) Verse 16 presents a picture of frivolous, flirtatious, sexually promiscuous women who use their bodies and outward adornments to attract men.
What does this reveal about the object of their worship? Our culture is not much different. How is some of this mindset and behaviour entering the church?
How should the church respond to this? (Consider Titus 2:3–5; 1 Peter 3:1–6)
5) Discuss how Isaiah 3:16–4:1 presents a picture of God’s judgment on people who have rejected Him and worshipped something else. He gives them the desires of their hearts—but without His support and supply of the good things He gives. What does this tell us about the danger of placing anything in higher esteem than God?