Isaia 3

1 Ecco, il Signore, l’Eterno degli eserciti, sta per togliere a Gerusalemme ed a Giuda ogni risorsa ed ogni appoggio, ogni risorsa di pane e ogni risorsa di acqua,

2 il prode ed il guerriero, il giudice ed il profeta, l’indovino e l’anziano,

3 il capo di cinquantina e il notabile, il consigliere, l’artefice esperto, e l’abile incantatore.

4 Io darò loro de’ giovinetti per principi, e de’ bambini domineranno sovr’essi.

5 Il popolo sarà oppresso, uomo da uomo, ciascuno dal suo prossimo; il giovane insolentirà contro il vecchio, l’abietto contro colui che è onorato.

6 Quand’uno prenderà il fratello nella sua casa paterna e gli dirà: "Tu hai un mantello, sii nostro capo, prendi queste ruine sotto la tua mano",

7 egli, in quel giorno, alzerà la voce, dicendo: "Io non sarò vostro medico, e nella mia casa non v’è né pane né mantello; non mi fate capo del popolo!"

8 Poiché Gerusalemme vacilla e Giuda crolla, perché la loro lingua e le opere sono contro l’Eterno, sì da provocare ad ira il suo sguardo maestoso.

9 L’aspetto del loro volto testimonia contr’essi, pubblicano il loro peccato, come Sodoma, e non lo nascondono. Guai all’anima loro! perché procurano a se stessi del male.

10 Ditelo che il giusto avrà del bene, perch’ei mangerà il frutto delle opere sue!

11 Guai all’empio! male gl’incoglierà, perché gli sarà reso quel che le sue mani han fatto.

12 Il mio popolo ha per oppressori dei fanciulli, e delle donne lo signoreggiano. O popolo mio, quei che ti guidano ti sviano, e ti distruggono il sentiero per cui devi passare!

13 L’Eterno si presenta per discutere la causa, e sta in piè per giudicare i popoli.

14 L’Eterno entra in giudizio con gli anziani del suo popolo e coi principi d’esso: "Voi siete quelli che avete divorato la vigna! Le spoglie del povero sono nelle nostre case!

15 Con qual diritto schiacciate voi il mio popolo e pestate la faccia de’ miseri?" dice il Signore, l’Eterno degli eserciti.

16 L’Eterno dice ancora: Poiché le figliuolo di Sion sono altere, sen vanno col collo teso, lanciando sguardi provocanti, camminando a piccoli passi e facendo tintinnare gli anelli de’ lor piedi,

17 il Signore renderà calvo il sommo del capo alle figliuole di Sion, e l’Eterno metterà a nudo le loro vergogne.

18 In quel giorno, il Signore torrà via il lusso degli anelli de’ piedi, delle reti e delle mezzelune;

19 gli orecchini, i braccialetti ed i veli;

20 i diademi, le catenelle de’ piedi, le cinture, i vasetti di profumo e gli amuleti;

21 gli anelli, i cerchietti da naso;

22 gli abiti da festa, le mantelline, gli scialli e le borse;

23 gli specchi, le camicie finissime, le tiare e le mantiglie.

24 Invece del profumo s’avrà fetore; invece di cintura, una corda; invece di riccioli calvizie; invece d’ampio manto, un sacco stretto; un marchio di fuoco invece di bellezza.

25 I tuoi uomini cadranno di spada, e i tuoi prodi, in battaglia.

26 Le porte di Sion gemeranno e saranno in lutto; tutta desolata, ella sederà per terra.

Isaia 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.