RULED BY WOMEN AND CHILDREN!

 

Monday, December 28, 2020

 

RULED BY WOMEN AND CHILDREN!

 

Isa 3:11-12

11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. KJV

 

           The Bible is not politically correct and does not tiptoe around sensitive topics. Having said that, I know I will likely be branded a sexist simply by suggesting that women are less adept as rulers than men. Even the available commentaries are cautious when handling the above verses but there is an uncomfortable comparison with our own government.

 

           Today we hang precariously between Christmas and a new year, yet we still have an undecided election in America. A pall of illegitimacy hangs over it and we seem willing to allow it to do so. How did we arrive at such an uncomfortable circumstance? Isaiah saw a similar situation in his time. Children oppressed the people and women held strong influence.

 

           If our scripture is to be understood, then we must know that it likely refers to the rule of Ahaz who came to power at the age of twenty. The uncomfortable reference to female rule likely refers to the influence wielded by the king’s wives. We see a similar situation with Jezebel and Ahab who had Naboth killed for his adjoining land. Childishness, selfishness, and cruelty marked the effeminate rulers devoid of manliness.

 

           God will stand up in judgment, and chapter four indicates that so many men will be killed that “seven women will take hold of one man” and ask to be his wife. They offer to support themselves if that one man would marry them.

 

           If we are frustrated with wickedness, imagine how irritated God must be! Listen to verse eleven. “Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.” Isa 3:11

 

           Three chapters later, Isaiah sees God in a vision high and lifted up. Isaiah recognizes and acknowledges his own sin and the sins of his people. Once cleansed, Isaiah volunteers to become God’s spokesman for righteousness. God still offers a remedy to the penitent and righteousness to the wicked.

 

2 Chron 7:13-14

13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

 

Oh, God! We have sinned and do not deserve the least of Thy mercies. Yet you have provided your own Son as a remedy to all who will trust and receive Him. In judgment, remember mercy. AMEN