"Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 5: 24 (Image by Th G from Pixabay)

Very clearly, God is angry with Israel and Judah. I suggest He has the same anger towards us today, for Christians have neglected so great a salvation by allowing sin to proliferate, especially amongst the brethren, and in daily life of the nation. Our silence is tantamount to acceptance of evil, and our refusal to speak out against the very real invasion of Islam not just into the country, but in every level of government, justice system and policing, will bring our speedy downfall – and that will happen very soon. Some will argue that if God intervenes all will be well. Yes, that is true, but WHY should God intervene, when Christians have not bothered to cry for help until they have allowed paganism to take over the land, without so much as a weak cry?

"When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.” Isaiah 4:4 (Image by Karl Egger from Pixabay)

1. “And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.
2. In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.”

As we read in chapter 3, many men fell in battle, leaving women socially stranded, to live as single females, which was thought to be unacceptable. Normally, in ordinary times, there are roughly a large number of men to choose from, but this text tell us that the men would be killed off, and so women were desperate to marry. Isaiah predicts what will happen – seven women will approach a single man, and ask him to marry all seven. They will not make demands, but will provide their own clothing and make their own food… all they want is the security and socially acceptable status of marriage. (We know this is in the future, because Isaiah says “in that day”).

"And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty." Isaiah 3:24 (Photo by Adrian Swancar on Unsplash)

One of my pet loathings is the ‘selfie’ photograph, the pathetic placing of the face in a suitably attractive pose. Even young men do it! This chapter is about similar ways women use to attract men (or to boast before other women). God also speaks of the death of many men for their allowance of paganism into society. Because mighty men die, leaving men who are less than able, and rule is given to useless youngsters who forget God, the whole nation falls into selfishness and hardship. When God’s path is covered and people do what they like, the nation fails and falls into ruin. Today, too, men are losing their might and ability to be men, as godless ideologists try to stamp out masculinity, with its created aggressiveness when needed. It seems even women want their modern men to be effeminate and ‘soft’!

"For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan," Isaiah 2: 12,13 ( Image by djedj from Pixabay)

The opening verse in chapter 2 almost replicates the opening verse in chapter 1. Usually, when a text is repeated, it is to emphasise its importance. It is also because the contents of chapter 2 are a separate vision given at a slightly later time… remembering that Isaiah wrote over (roughly) a 64 year span. Instead of ‘vision’ Isaiah uses ‘word’. Both can reasonably be used as the same thing.