Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"The leaders of this people caused them to err"
Text: Isaiah 9:16
DEALING WITH THE WICKED LEADERS
The leaders of the nation of Israel were responsible for leading the people into ruin. The kings and princes were not the only leaders. A few other leaders were mentioned in this text.
“Therefore the LORD will cut off head and tail from Israel,
Palm branch and bulrush in one day.
The elder and honourable, he is the head;
The prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail.
For the leaders of this people cause them to err,
And those who are led by them are destroyed.”
Isaiah 9:14-16
1. The LORD would deal with the leaders drastically.
a) They were spoken of as the “head and tail of Israel”.
b) They may be honoured as “leaders”.
c) But to the LORD they were but a “palm branch and bulrush”.
d) These were common plants in Israel.
2. The leaders mentioned.
a) The elder and the honourable is called “the head”.
b) The lying prophet is called “the tail”.
c) These were not flattering titles for these proud leaders.
3. Reasons why these leaders were being singled out for punishment.
a) They caused the people to err:
i) By teaching falsely.
ii) By deceiving them.
iii) The people unwisely believed their leaders blindly.
b) Their followers:
i) They were not discerning.
ii) They did not check what they were taught.
iii) They would also be destroyed together with their leaders.