Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"You be our ruler"
Text: Isaiah 3:6
A DESPERATE SEARCH FOR LEADERSHIP
When a child-prince rules the land, the country will face severe leadership problems. The real power behind the throne can be very oppressive. The search for leaders becomes urgent and intense.
“When a man takes hold of his brother
In the house of his father, saying,
‘You have clothing;
You be our ruler,
And let these ruins be under your power,’
In that day he will protest, saying,
‘I cannot cure your ills,
For in my house is neither food nor clothing;
Do not make me a ruler of the people.'”
Isaiah 3:6-7
1. The problems in the country.
a) The economy lies in ruins.
b) The search for a ruler becomes desperate.
c) The offer to become the ruler.
i) This is offered to anyone who seemed to be well-dressed.
ii) The sharp contrast is that few can even afford decent clothing.
d) The hope expressed:
i) That the ruler would be able to repair the economy.
ii) That the ruins would be rebuilt under the proposed new ruler.
iii) This would be a tall order for any ruler to be able to succeed
in rebuilding a nation.
2. Turning down the invitation.
a) Wisely, the reply is made: “I cannot cure your ills”.
b) An honest confession: “For in my house is neither food nor clothing”.
This is the grim reality. Poverty has struck deeply everywhere.
c) A firm decision: “Do not make me a ruler of the people”.
The turning down of the offer to rule is wise and realistic!