How the Faithful City Became a Harlot

YHWH continues His prophecy against the city of Jerusalem as Isaiah records the words and then goes out to preach that same warning to the people. God provided a way for them to be redeemed - if they turn from their sins and repent, then their sins would be washed away. But if they rebelled, then God was going to send the promised calamities upon them and they would be devoured by the sword. Isaiah even told King Hezekiah who it would be to do the honors - Babylon!

God looked at Jerusalem and lamented how the once faithful city had become a harlot. Jerusalem was at one time full of justice. It was a place where rich and poor alike could seek the LORD and find righteous judgment. Now the only thing that lived there was wicked men. All of Judah and Jerusalem from the rulers on down were rebels, thieves, and those who took bribes to turn their eyes away from evil. They did not help widows and orphans, they took advantage of them. And that was on a good day. 

So the words of judgment were issued from the heavenly throne. God would relieve Himself of His adversaries in Jerusalem and Judah. He would avenge Himself of His foes. He would turn His hand against them and allow them to be refined by fire. He would bring the promised calamities of famine, war, and enemies to crush the wicked and burn the city with fire. He would reject the place He chose for His Name to dwell and exile His people to bring them to repentance. 

With the promised judgment, God also promised redemption. There would be a remnant saved, yet so as by fire. Zion would be redeemed with justice. Her repentant ones would be righteous. But the sinners and transgressors would be crushed together, those who forsook the LORD would come to their end. They would be ashamed of following other gods and frolicking around the sacred oaks of Asherah and Baal. They would be embarrassed about the secret gardens of immorality that flourished in the days of Isaiah. God saw all of their sins and He was done with them until they repented. 

This vision of Isaiah was for the time in which he lived, but it applies even to today - and on into the future when Jesus returns and redeems Zion. He will make the city of Jerusalem into His capital and reign on the throne of David with righteousness. He will crush the wicked at His coming and establish His throne above all others. There will be One King and righteousness will fill the earth. He will drive sin far away and mankind will know that God reigns over them, because He will be reigning on this earth.