Did I tell you I have started a study on the book of Isaiah this year? Yesterday I was off to Southern Evangelical Seminary where the Book is taught by Dr. Barry Lethenthal. He's a great Messianic believer. It never stops amazing me how God puts His people in a position to bless.
So, I was reading Isaiah 3 this morning and this warning for women speaks to my spirit. Why you might ask? Because I was having the same conversation with my friend Norma this week and saw a show yesterday on Oprah about this very subject. Women dressing in inappropriate ways only to get what they really don't want. No one telling them the truth. MTV screaming at them lies and they believing the lies. How do we break the cycle of self destructive behavior? It starts with dress, then goes to drugs, sex and rock and roll. What do you see in this passage that speaks to your spirit.
Is 3:16-25
Warning for Jerusalems Women
16Next the LORD will judge the women of Jerusalem,[a] who walk around with their noses in the air, with tinkling ornaments on their ankles. Their eyes rove among the crowds, flirting with the men. 17The Lord will send a plague of scabs to ornament their heads. Yes, the LORD will make them bald for all to see!
18The Lord will strip away their artful beauty--their ornaments, headbands, and crescent necklaces; 19their earrings, bracelets, and veils of shimmering gauze. 20Gone will be their scarves, ankle chains, sashes, perfumes, and charms; 21their rings, jewels, 22party clothes, gowns, capes, and purses; 23their mirrors, linen garments, head ornaments, and shawls. 24Instead of smelling of sweet perfume, they will stink. They will wear ropes for sashes, and their well-set hair will fall out. They will wear rough sackcloth instead of rich robes. Their beauty will be gone. Only shame will be left to them.
25The men of the city will die in battle. 26The gates of Jerusalem[b] will weep and mourn. The city will be like a ravaged woman, huddled on the ground.
It's funny, the men these women wanted to attract died, and they were left alone.
What does that say to us now? If we don't live a life that is pleasing to God we suffer the consequences of our own mistakes. God's ways are better than our ways. How do we learn how to follow God's ways? Read His book, go to a bible study, even if it's online. Find a godly woman who you admire and respect. Ask her to mentor you, to care about you, to lead you in spiritual understanding. That is a good first step. Tell me about your journey if you'd like. I'm always interested.