Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (OT)

Isaiah 3:12-26

¹²    My people—infants are their oppressors,

and women rule over them.

       O my people, your guides mislead you

and they have swallowed up the course of your paths.

¹³    The Lord has taken his place to contend;

he stands to judge peoples.

¹⁴    The Lord will enter into judgment

with the elders and princes of his people:

       “It is you who have devoured the vineyard,

the spoil of the poor is in your houses.

¹⁵    What do you mean by crushing my people,

by grinding the face of the poor?”

declares the Lord God of hosts.

¹⁶    The Lord said:

       Because the daughters of Zion are haughty

and walk with outstretched necks,

glancing wantonly with their eyes,

       mincing along as they go,

tinkling with their feet,

¹⁷    therefore the Lord will strike with a scab

the heads of the daughters of Zion,

and the Lord will lay bare their secret parts.

¹⁸ In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents; ¹⁹ the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves; ²⁰ the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets; ²¹ the signet rings and nose rings; ²² the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags; ²³ the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the veils.

²⁴    Instead of perfume there will be rottenness;

and instead of a belt, a rope;

       and instead of well-set hair, baldness;

and instead of a rich robe, a skirt of sackcloth;

and branding instead of beauty.

²⁵    Your men shall fall by the sword

and your mighty men in battle.

²⁶    And her gates shall lament and mourn;

empty, she shall sit on the ground.

It is the people of God, who devour themselves. They mistreat their own and turn against one another. The people of God do not always work together, they often work for their own advantage. This can especially be true for those who are placed in authority over others. These people will work to keep their power and control, because it makes them feel important and that they are needed.

I had someone tell me (repeatedly) everyone is replacable. There may not be another person on earth that has all your exact talents and can do the job exactly like you. There is always someone who can get the job done. This other person will bring their own talents and insight to the job. But we do not like being replaced or even people who threaten to replace us.

We desire job security! Therefore, we devour those who appear to threaten us. We turn against one another and no longer are working for the good of the kingdom. But these situations do provide an opportunity for each of us to talk about sin and forgiveness.

The Lord is calling his people to judgment for their actions. They can turn from these actions, repent of their sins and find redemption and forgiveness. But in this case they have too long not repented. But in your case Jesus is still there, standing ready to hear your confession and offer you forgiveness. He is their to help you see how persons working together can provide good for all people. Sometimes they do the same job and sometimes they are using their various talents to help make the creation better.

Look at how the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit work together. Recognize how they each provide us with life and salvation. They do not compete against each other, but work together calling you to faith.