Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"How the faithful city has become a harlot"
Text: Isaiah 1:21
THE DEGENERATION OF JUDAH AS A NATION
A sad description of Judah was given by the LORD. Degeneration had taken a very heavy toll on Judah!
“How the faithful city has become a harlot!
It was full of justice;
Righteousness lodged in it,
But now murderers.
Your silver has become dross,
Your wine mixed with water.
Your princes are rebellious,
And companions of thieves;
Everyone loves bribes,
And follows after rewards.
They do not defend the fatherless,
Nor does the cause of the widow come before them.”
Isaiah 1:21-23
1. “The faithful city”
a) This was a veiled reference to Jerusalem.
b) It was once a faithful city:
i) The capital of Judah.
ii) The city where the Temple was located.
iii) But it had badly degenerated!
2. In the past:
a) It was full of justice.
b) Righteousness was practised faithfully.
c) But corruption had taken place and it was now inhabited by murderers!
3. Two forms of imagery used to describe its degeneration.
a) It was compared to silver that was affected by dross.
b) It was compared to wine that was diluted by water.
i) Silver affected by dross was worthless.
ii) Wine diluted by water was unpresentable at a feast.
4. The nobles in the land.
a) Princes were supposed to be of the royal family.
b) But they had become:
i) Companions of thieves.
ii) They were corrupted by bribes.
iii) They chased after “rewards” (essentially “bribes”).
c) Their duties:
i) To help the king uphold justice.
ii) To promote righteousness in the city.
iii) Many of the princes were appointed to high public office.
d) Instead of doing their part:
i) They did not defend the vulnerable, the fatherless children.
ii) They did not help the widows in their search for help.
iii) They neglected their duties.
iv) Worse, they oppressed the poor and needy!