Ésaïe 3

1 Car voici, le Seigneur, l'Éternel des armées, va ôter de Jérusalem et de Juda tout appui et toute ressource, toute ressource de pain et toute ressource d'eau;

2 L'homme fort et l'homme de guerre, le juge et le prophète, le devin et l'ancien,

3 Le chef de cinquantaines et l'homme considéré, le conseiller, l'artisan habile et celui qui s'entend à la magie.

4 Et je leur donnerai des jeunes gens pour chefs, et des enfants domineront sur eux.

5 Le peuple sera opprimé; l'un s'élèvera contre l'autre, et chacun contre son prochain; le jeune homme attaquera le vieillard, et l'homme de rien celui qui est honoré.

6 Alors un homme saisira son frère dans la maison paternelle: Tu as un manteau, sois notre chef, et prends en main ces ruines!

7 Mais, en ce jour-là, celui-ci répondra, disant: Je n'y saurais porter remède; il n'y a dans ma maison ni pain ni manteau; ne m'établissez pas chef du peuple.

8 Car Jérusalem s'écroule, et Juda tombe, parce que leurs paroles et leurs actions sont contre l'Éternel, pour braver les regards de sa majesté.

9 L'impudence de leurs visages témoigne contre eux; comme Sodome, ils publient leur péché, et ne le dissimulent point. Malheur à leur âme! Car elle se prépare des maux.

10 Dites les justes heureux; car ils mangeront le fruit de leurs œuvres.

11 Malheur au méchant, malheur! Car il recueillera l'œuvre de ses mains.

12 Mon peuple a des enfants pour oppresseurs, et des femmes dominent sur lui. Mon peuple, tes guides t'égarent et t'ont fait perdre le chemin que tu dois suivre.

13 L'Éternel se présente pour plaider; il est debout pour juger les peuples.

14 L'Éternel entre en jugement avec les anciens de son peuple, et avec ses princes: c'est vous qui avez dévoré la vigne! La dépouille du pauvre est dans vos maisons!

15 De quel droit foulez-vous mon peuple et écrasez-vous la face des pauvres, dit le Seigneur, l'Éternel des armées?

16 L'Éternel dit encore: Parce que les filles de Sion sont orgueilleuses, qu'elles marchent le cou tendu en faisant des signes des yeux, et qu'elles marchent à petits pas, faisant résonner les boucles de leurs pieds,

17 Le Seigneur rendra chauve la tête des filles de Sion, l'Éternel découvrira leur nudité.

18 En ce jour-là, le Seigneur ôtera les anneaux dont elles se parent, les filets et les croissants;

19 Les pendants d'oreille, les bracelets et les voiles;

20 Les diadèmes, les chaînettes des pieds, les ceintures, les boîtes de senteur et les amulettes;

21 Les bagues et les anneaux pour le nez;

22 Les robes de fête, les larges tuniques, les manteaux, les sachets;

23 Les miroirs, les chemises, les tiares et les mantilles.

24 Au lieu de parfum, il y aura de l'infection; au lieu de ceintures, des cordes; au lieu de cheveux frisés, des têtes chauves; au lieu de robes flottantes, des sacs étroits; des cicatrices, au lieu de beauté.

25 Tes hommes tomberont par l'épée, et tes héros par la guerre.

26 Les portes de Sion gémiront et seront dans le deuil; désolée, elle s'assiéra à terre.

Ésaïe 3 Commentary

Chapter 3

The calamities about to come upon the land. (1-9) The wickedness of the people. (10-15) The distress of the proud, luxurious women of Zion. (16-26)

Verses 1-9 God was about to deprive Judah of every stay and support. The city and the land were to be made desolate, because their words and works had been rebellious against the Lord; even at his holy temple. If men do not stay themselves upon God, he will soon remove all other supports, and then they must sink. Christ is the Bread of life and the Water of life; if he be our Stay, we shall find that is a good part not to be taken away, Joh. 6:27 . Here note, 1. That the condition of sinners is exceedingly woful. 2. It is the soul that is damaged by sin. 3. Whatever evil befals sinners, be sure that they bring it on themselves.

Verses 10-15 The rule was certain; however there might be national prosperity or trouble, it would be well with the righteous and ill with the wicked. Blessed be God, there is abundant encouragement to the righteous to trust in him, and for sinners to repent and return to him. It was time for the Lord to show his might. He will call men to a strict account for all the wealth and power intrusted to and abused by them. If it is sinful to disregard the necessities of the poor, how odious and wicked a part do they act, who bring men into poverty, and then oppress them!

Verses 16-26 The prophet reproves and warns the daughters of Zion of the sufferings coming upon them. Let them know that God notices the folly and vanity of proud women, even of their dress. The punishments threatened answered the sin. Loathsome diseases often are the just punishment of pride. It is not material to ask what sort of ornaments they wore; many of these things, if they had not been in fashion, would have been ridiculed then as now. Their fashions differed much from those of our times, but human nature is the same. Wasting time and money, to the neglect of piety, charity, and even of justice, displease the Lord. Many professors at the present day, seem to think there is no harm in worldly finery; but were it not a great evil, would the Holy Spirit have taught the prophet to expose it so fully? The Jews being overcome, Jerusalem would be levelled with the ground; which is represented under the idea of a desolate female seated upon the earth. And when the Romans had destroyed Jerusalem, they struck a medal, on which was represented a woman sitting on the ground in a posture of grief. If sin be harboured within the walls, lamentation and mourning are near the gates.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 3

In this chapter the Jews are threatened with various calamities, on account of their sins, which would issue in their entire ruin and destruction. They are threatened with a famine, Isa 3:1 with a removal of useful men in church and state, and in common life, Isa 3:2,3 with ignorant and effeminate governors; the consequences of which would be oppression and insolence, Isa 3:4,5 yea, that such would be their state and condition, that men, though naturally ambitious of honour, would refuse to have the government of them, Isa 3:6,7 the reasons of these calamities, and of this ruin and fall of them, are their evil words and actions against the Lord, which were highly provoking to him; and their impudence in sinning like Sodom, which was to their own harm, Isa 3:8,9 yet, in the midst of all this, it is the will of God that the righteous should be told it shall be well with them, with the reason of it; when it shall be ill with the wicked, as a just recompence of reward, Isa 3:10,11 the errors and mistakes of the people are attributed to their childish and effeminate governors, Isa 3:12 wherefore the Lord determines to plead their cause, and contend with their elders and rulers, because they had spoiled and devoured the poor, Isa 3:13-15 and particularly the women are threatened, for their pride and luxury, to have their ornaments taken from them, which are particularly mentioned, Isa 3:16-24 and the chapter is concluded with a prophecy, that their mighty men should perish by the sword in war, and the city should be desolate, Isa 3:25,26.