The Tragedy of Open Rebellion
These words in Isaiah chapter 3 describe the staggering, stumbling, and shaking occurring in Jerusalem and Judah—amongst God’s people. The reason is clearly stated in verse 8 below:
8 “Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the Lord,
defying his glorious presence.
9 The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves.
10 Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.
11 Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done.
12 Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. O my people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path.
13 The Lord takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people.
14 The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: ‘It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses.’” Isaiah 3:8–14
The people carried out actions that show a disregard for God, and this is the reason things go badly with God’s people. Disregarding the Lord who gives us grace to stand and walk well will result in an absence of the grace and strength to stand and walk well. It is a straightforward reason.
Therefore, God says, “They have brought disaster upon themselves.” Disastrous events do not just occur. They are unleashed by people’s words and actions.
Verse 9 emphasises something even more serious: “They parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it.” This is a very big issue. There’s a vast difference between sinning in secret—feeling ashamed of sin, and not feeling ashamed of sin. This shamelessness has deep consequences attached to it.
“Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:32
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7–8
These passages remind us that God watches, He weighs, and He judges. And it urges us to walk in reverence and obedience, not defiance and arrogance. We must not take His grace lightly or join a culture that parades sin without shame. To walk with God is to honour His presence and to live like people who know He is near.
You Will Reap What You Have Done: A Call to Responsibility and Righteousness
Verse 10 tells us about a group of people known as the righteous. They are the ones whose deeds are acceptable to God. The scripture says that “It will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.” Deeds here refer to both deeds and words.
Then verse 11 refers to the wicked, upon whom disaster will come due to their actions. And He said, “They will be paid back for what their hands have done.” So, one can know and even tell what is going to happen. God doesn’t judge us arbitrarily. He doesn’t just do things to us. He makes things happen based on what we have done.
One might ask: “How do you know whether you will be among the righteous or the wicked?” Ask yourself simply: “What have you done?” To one group, the Lord said, “They will be paid back for what their hands have done.” The other one, He said, “You will enjoy the fruit of your deeds.” It’s the same principle. What have you done? What you do is what you will reap from.
Do you do bad things? Expect a harvest. Do you do good things? Expect a harvest.
I think, therefore, the most important thing is to know what is bad and what is good. One must be careful to do that.
The Lord ended by pointing out that young people, children and women were oppressing His people and ruling over them. Then He went on to add that these were the ones leading His people astray, the ones turning them away from the path.
Does this literally mean that women and young children were in charge? Though it might be true in some sense, the greater sense might be that the older people allowed the younger people and women to do what they liked. And it’s because they allowed them that “The Lord takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people.” And, “The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: ‘It is you who have ruined my vineyard.’”
The elders and leaders were being judged because they allowed those who did not have the equipping, the preparation, and the authority to handle things. The young people who were not officially appointed by God took over. The women who were not officially equipped took over. And they kept quiet and allowed ruin, while focusing on making money.
“It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses.”
The Lord held them responsible because they were focused on plundering the poor and accumulating wealth. And in the process, they allowed all sorts of things to happen that resulted in damage. God would have wanted them to disciple and train people who would become leaders, oversee and supervise—not to accumulate.
Judgment Begins with God’s Leaders: A Call to Account
A major issue that will arise on the day of judgment, when God takes His place in court and rises to judge the people, will be judgment against the elders and leaders of His people.
“The Lord takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people. The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: ‘It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses.’” Isaiah 3:13–14
People like to focus on elders and leaders of nations, but judgment will begin in the house of the Lord.
“For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17
His focus will be on His vineyard—His people. He does not want us to accumulate the plunder of the poor in our houses. Buying and acquiring all sorts of things, spending endless money, or using it to do extravagant, unnecessary things like make our houses fantastically beautiful just to impress or compete with the world does not please God. He doesn’t want that. He wants us to use money to do what He intended – for good works. Accumulation of material wealth is not our calling.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19
To think that you can serve acquiring material wealth and serve God is a big mistake. They thought they could, but in the process, they ended up serving material wealth—plunder. And the job of leadership was handed over to children and women, people who were too weak to handle it and too young to be able to do it well. So they end(ed) up oppressing others, probably based on emotions, as women tend to be emotional, and children tend to be ignorant, childish, and temperamental. They left leadership in the hands of ill-equipped people, while the elders and leaders, those who were called and trained, were busy accumulating. This must cease.
The disaster that came upon Jerusalem and Judah was not random. It was the result of open rebellion against God. The people defied Him with their words and actions, proudly displaying their sin instead of hiding it. This bold rejection of God brought judgment. Their leaders also failed in their responsibility, allowing the unqualified to take charge while they pursued wealth. God made it clear: disaster comes from what people have done. Those who rebel will face ruin, but those who do right will reap good.
30th June 2025
Ita Udoh
