Isaiah 3

Notes

Ver. 1-7. These miseries came upon them by the Syrians and Israelites under Ahaz; by the Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syro-grecians, and Romans. [See Introduction, ch. iv. section xviii.] By the sieges and other judgments they shall be deprived of the common necessaries of life, and all their men of ability, either for war, government, or trade, be cut off. Their governors shall be destitute of either sense or authority: every one shall behave in as unjust and insolent a manner as he pleases. And when any person that has any property left him shall be solicited to take the charge of the state, in order to prevent or retrieve its ruin, he shall absolutely refuse. 8, 9. And, indeed, their insolent defiance of God and his Christ to his face, by their words and deeds, have rendered their case desperately ruinous. By their impudent practising, and even boasting, of the most horrid abominations, they have not only ruined their country, but entailed upon their souls everlasting ruin. 10, 11. For as those who are righteous, by faith in Jesus Christ, shall have their conversation in him graciously rewarded with spiritual and eternal blessings, so those who are wicked in their heart and practice shall, here and hereafter, be miserably punished, according to their deserts. 12-15. So miserable is the condition of these Jews, who once entered into covenant relation to myself, and who still profess to be my people, that the most foolish and weak govern and oppress them; their teachers and rulers decoy and lead them into wickedness and ruin. Therefore the Lord arises to reward his oppressed poor ones, and to punish them who have seized upon their property, and cruelly abused and enslaved their persons.

Ver. 1. Never has there been drawn such another picture of national calamity: every figure pointing to sin and judgment. Bread taken away by the ruin of agriculture and commerce; water by drought from heaven, or the violent usurpation or filling up of their wells; men of wisdom and might, and skill and influence, slain or expatriated; children in intellect, and babes in power, advanced to govern; mutual, undistinguishing, universal oppression; a total confusion of ranks and order—all rule become so odious and impracticable that men revolt from the toils of government—Jerusalem ruined, and Judah fallen. C.

Ver. 10. Say ye to the righteous. Who? The house of Jacob, who hear and come, and 'walk in the light of the Lord,' ch. 2. 5; and who, warned by the judgments of God, have learned to 'cease from man,' ver. 22. C.

Ver. 12. Children and women may be figurative expressions for puerile and feeble rulers; but seem rather to be literal descriptions: for the children of the godless nobility were likely, in their very thoughtlessness, to be the most cruel oppressors; and never yet did a civilized country degenerate by luxury, that women were not found holding an unnatural place in their counseis and government. Happy that nation, and favoured of Heaven, where children do not rule, but are ruled! and where godly women 'guide the house,' modestly confine themselves to domestic, pious, and charitable duties, 'and give none occasion to the (ungodly) adversary to speak reproachfully,' 1 Ti. 5. 14. C.

Ver. 16. The prophetic denouncement against 'the daughters of Zion' is placed last; because, in point of fact, the women of a country oftentimes retain their religious principles when the men have become totally infidel and depraved. And therefore, when women have cast aside modesty, have delivered themselves over to the idolatry of dress and ornament, and have sacrificed domestic retirement to public show, then is national ruin nigh at hand, without any visible means of retarding its progress. C.—A tinkling with their feet. Eastern females still wear loose chains and rings about their ankles which produce a tinkling sound, which fashion the Jewesses seem to have lately imported, as no previous reference is made to such ornaments.—Sir W. Jones—Rogers—Ward.

Ver. 17. Discover their secret parts. This alludes to the horrible custom still prevalent in all slave-dealing countries—that of exposing the slaves naked in the slave-market! Blessed be God! Britain has broken the chains of her slaves, and done what she might to wash out the record of her national guilt. But when will other nations, called Christian, repent, and follow her example! Grant the nations, O Lord, repentance unto life, lest thy judgments come as upon Jerusalem and Judah, and leave them desolate for their sins. C.

Ver. 24. The scanty dress of many semi-barbarous nations— while standing still, instead of moving in the march of improvement—may often be accurately ascertained and described; but the various dresses of civilized nations, exerting their free energies in agriculture, arts, and commerce, it is generally impossible to ascertain by the aid of names. In such communities the 'fashion of the world soon passeth away.' All conjecture as to these different portions of dress is therefore avoided as useless; it is enough to see that riches and arts were grievously abused, and that the pride and vanity of dress, being idolatry, were grievously punished by personal degradations and national ruin. C.

Reflections.—In the most diversified shapes can God punish sin and show the emptiness of creatures. And sins unrepented of certainly prove ruinous at last. But nations are evidently near to the most fearful destruction when all ranks and sexes are abandoned to and impudent in sinning; or when folly and weakness are at the helm of government; when popular tumults dare to interrupt the administration of justice; and when those who ought to be distinguished blessings in church or state have become the principal plagues.—What a remarkable difference God puts between the righteous and the wicked! And who can either withstand or escape the judgment which he appoints to them? With great faithfulness and courage ought ministers therefore to give both saints and sinners their portion. At what expense of money, care, and time do many, especially women, hang out before the world the infallible tokens of their emptiness, pride, and wicked inclinations! And often by their wickedness they bring to themselves, shocking disgrace, abominable appearances, loathsome diseases, pinching poverty, and desolating judgments.