Isa 3.1-26 tells us that Judah is threatened on account of their sin. This chapter is not only historical but it is a foreshadow of the first three and a half years of the birth-pains (tribulation).
v 1…For behold the Lord (Adon), the Lord (Yehovah) of hosts (tzavaot or armies-when Yehovah is called this it means he is coming from a military position of power) is going to remove from Jerusalem and Judah (the capitol city and southern kingdom) both supply and support (a famine is coming), the whole supply of bread (since they did not hunger for the bread of the Torah) and the whole supply of water (is life threatening and symbolic of the Torah also).
v 2…The mighty man (givor) and the warrior (the military power of the nation-spiritually too), the judge and the prophet (none to bring justice to the people), the diviner (prudent) and the elder (whose counsel was based on experience).
v 3…The captain of the fifty (the smallest unit in the army) and the honorable man (the king’s favorite), the counselor and the expert artisan (the engineer, workers in metal and wood, and inventors of military weapons, etc) and the skillful enchanter (the great orators).
v 4…And I will make mere lads (in age or understanding, inexperienced) their princes and capricious children (babes) will rule over them (immature, incompetent).
v 5…And the people will be oppressed, each one by another, and each one by his neighbor (respect for one another is gone); the youth will storm (proudly) against the elder (no respect for superiors), and the inferior against the honorable (all of this comes from incompetent, anti-Torah leadership).
v 6…When a man lays hold of his brother in his father’s house, “You have a cloak (decent clothes), you will be our ruler, and these ruins (what is left of the nation) will be under your charge” (the world will be on the brink of this in the birth-pains as the next verse alludes to).
v 7…On that day (the day of the Lord, when Messiah comes) will he answer (protest) saying, “I will not be your healer (to bind up the political wounds of the nation because he was not fit to do so, or things were beyond remedy); for in my house there is neither bread nor cloak (he can’t support himself and is just as poor as everyone else); you shall not appoint me ruler of the people (things have disintegrated).
v 8…For Jerusalem has stumbled (is ruined), and Judah has fallen (that is why nobody wanted to rule, and this is ultimately fulfilled about 100 years later under the Babylonians, and will be again in the birth-pains), because their speech (tongue) and their actions are against Yehovah (they have failed to keep the Torah in word and deed), to rebel against his glorious presence (literally “the eyes of his glory/kivod”-this verse was delayed about 100 years).
v 9…The expression of their faces bears witness against them (they didn’t try to hide it), and they display their sin like Sodom; they do not conceal it (hide it, committed openly and with no shame). Woe to them (their soul)! For they have brought evil on themselves (the cause of their ruin).
v 10…Say to the righteous (in contrast) that it will go well with them (God always has a remnant), for they will eat the fruit of their actions (Torah observant).
v 11…Woe to the wicked, it will go badly with him (non-Torah observant, lawless), for what he deserves will be done to him (there is a concept called “midah kneged midah” meaning measure for measure).
v 12…O my people, those who guide you lead you astray (can’t you see what fools your leaders are), and confuse the direction of your path (mislead you and go contrary to the Torah).
v 13…Yehovah arises to contend (bring charges) and stands up to judge the people.
v 14…Yehovah enters judgment with the elders and princes of the people (this is Yom Ha Din and courtroom terms), it is you who have devoured the vineyard (Israel-Isa 5.7); the plunder (illegal seizure) of the poor is in your houses (materials and spoils to enrich themselves).
Isa 3.14-26 brings more charges and this is like an arraignment in court.
v 15…”What do you mean by crushing my people (a tyrannical rule) and grinding the face of the poor (by oppressive cases against them and unjust taxes,etc)?” declares the Lord (Adon) God (Yehovah) of hosts (armies).
v 16…Moreover, Yehovah said, “Because the daughters of Zion are proud, and walk with necks held high (stretched out, above others) and seductive eyes (hidden invitations), and go along with mincing steps (small steps), and tinkle the bangles on their feet (even the women were immoral-Mic 1.8,16 and the opposite of 1 Pet 3.3-4),
v 17…Therefore, Yehovah will afflict the scalp of the daughters of Zion with scabs (which will cause them to shave their head), and the Lord (Yehovah) will make their foreheads bare (speaks of humiliation, taking away their glory-1 Cor 11.6).
v 18…In that day (the day of the Lord or when Messiah comes) the Lord (Yehovah) will take away the beauty of their anklets, headbands, crescent ornaments (in the shape of the moon),
v 19…dangling earrings, bracelets, veils,
v 20…Headdresses, ankle chains, sashes, perfume boxes, amulets,
v 21…Finger rings, nose rings,
v 22…Festal robes, outer tunics, cloaks, money purses,
v 23…Hand mirrors, undergarments, turbans and veils (it is not a sin to wear these, but Yehovah shows contempt for those women who were more concerned with making these their chief concern rather than modest Torah behavior-Isa 62.10; 1 Pet 3.3-4. The outer appearance should not be their main concern and it was).
v 24…Now it will come about that instead of sweet perfume there will be putrefaction (in the process of decay, foul odors); instead of a belt, a rope (to hold their garments together); instead of well-set hair (curled, styled), a plucked-out scalp (either by disease or by their captors, meaning humiliation. This also could refer to a pagan practice-Mic 1.16); instead of fine clothes, a donning of sackcloth; and branding (like slaves) instead of beauty.
v 25…Your men will fall by the sword, and your mighty ones in battle.
v 26…And her gates (of Jerusalem, where important men met for court, legal and business matters) will lament and mourn (because the seats of these men are empty); deserted she will sit on the ground (desolate, the posture of mourners).
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