Isaiah 3: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Isaiah 3 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh declares judgment on Jerusalem and Judah, taking away their support of food and water (vv. 1-2). The leaders, including mighty men and judges, will be replaced by children, leading to oppression among the people (vv. 4-5). With Jerusalem ruined, the people's sinful actions provoke divine wrath (vv. 8-9). The righteous will be rewarded, while the wicked will face disaster due to their deeds (vv. 10-11). Yahweh judges the leaders for exploiting the poor and causing the people to stray (vv. 13-15).

Key verse

“For, behold, the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah supply and support, the whole supply of bread, and the whole supply of water;”
Isaiah 3:1 (WEB)

Outline

Isaiah 3:1–8 Divine Judgment Declared
Isaiah 3:9–15 Consequences of Sinful Behavior
Isaiah 3:16–26 Vanity and Its Consequences

Discussion questions

What does the prophet say about the fate of the righteous in v10?
In vv. 8-9, how does the prophet describe the behavior of Jerusalem's people?
Yahweh's judgment in vv. 14-15: what does the 'plunder of the poor' mean?
In v12, what might be the implications of children oppressing my people?
When have you seen a situation where 'the people will be oppressed' (v5)?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Isaiah 3: Deuteronomy 11, Psalm 128, Isaiah 1.

Before next time: read Isaiah 4.