Eating The Fruit

Judah was in the wrong, and Isaiah 3:8 explains why,

“For Jerusalem has stumbled,

and Judah has fallen,

because their speech and their deeds are against the LORD,

defying his glorious presence.”

Such audacity. Rather than rejoicing in God’s glorious presence, they rebelled. Yet this can be more subtle than we might think. When a nation has known God’s ways, yet turns in opposition, it really is just rebellion. And with that can come a hardening that gives us a dangerous confidence that proclaims our ways are just as good or better than God’s. We see this in Isaiah 3:9,

“For the look on their faces bears witness against them;

they proclaim their sin like Sodom;

they do not hide it.

Woe to them!

For they have brought evil on themselves.”

Rather than being ashamed, they pranced sin into the light – not to be forgiven, but to brazenly present it as acceptable. As an example, the Scriptures tell us gossip is sin. We know how hurtful and harmful it can be. Yet some love it, gather for it with no shame, and even make TV shows about it. Let’s see what God has to say in Isaiah 3:10,

“Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them,

for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds."

Precious relief. By continuing in the righteousness that Christ affords, we can be pleasing to God, enjoying His presence; redemption rather than what we deserve. But there’s a warning in Isaiah 3:11,

“Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him,

for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him."

Jesus came to save us from what we deserved. What a gracious and merciful Savior!