Isaiah 3-4

“The Lord Almighty is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah ... the hero and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder” (3:1-2). God warned Israel that their leaders were facing judgment because they were using their position and power for harm. Those who were supposed to model godliness were instead “crushing the poor” (3:14); their “words and deeds are against the Lord” (3:8). But, one day, God promised, He would send Someone to cleanse His people (4:1-5).

If our hope is in human leaders, we will be disappointed. Only God provides true “shelter and shade ... a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain” (4:6).