National Decay of Judah Isaiah. 3: 1-8 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
When a nation starts going down, you will notice the same characteristics that you see inJudahin this passage. When God begins his judgment, the trouble starts with the very basic necessities: bread and water. These are the “stay.” Without these, you cannot survive.
But God not only took the “stay,” he also took the “staff.” The staff is people, like the office staff of a company, see v.2-3. When the leaders go, the country is sunk. Notice the national decay:
The country quits producing great men – v.2-3 – military – we don’t have leaders like Macarthur and Patton; judges – today they are political; preachers – where are the Whitefield’s, Wesley’s and Moody’s; statesmen – we have few if any politicians who are like the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence; honorable businessmen – the men of prior generations built industry; craftsmen – America is culturally bankrupt.
Incompetent leaders are promoted – v.4 – Just look at the names and ages of the kings that followed the kings to whom Isaiah preached – Manasseh (12), the worst king Judah every had [he led the country morally to where America is today]; Amon (22); Josiah (8); Jehoahaz (23); Jehoikim (25); Jehoiachin (8); Zedekiah (21).
Citizens oppress each other – v.5 – burglary, rape, murder, child molestation, litigation, divorce – everyone looking out for himself and stepping on or over whomever stands in his way.
Children lose respect for elders and authority – v.5 – 2 Ki 1:9-10; 2 Ki 2:23-24 – today kids shoot their teachers.
Citizens fail to meet their civic responsibilities – v.6-7 – 1 Tim 5:8; Eph 4:28
Citizens rebel against God – v.8 – you get a godless society. Ahab hated Micaiah because Micaiah told him the truth which wasn’t “good,” 1 Ki 22:8. Yet he had 100’s of prophets who lied to him. Truth was fallen in the street.
Conclusion: The greatest personal defense when society gets to where Judah was back then and where America is today is to get saved, get under the authority of the words of God, seek to glorify God in everything you do, and be prepared to sacrifice.