Some Things That Have Been Taken Away

Isaiah 3:1, 18

Intro:  When we consider how much God loves Israel, then it puts into the proper perspective the reasons for His taking away some things.  It doesn't say that Satan took them away.  Even though the Word of God says that he is a thief and a robber and has come to steal, kill and destroy, it is not him that is taking away things in these verses - God is!  His taking away of wholesome, good things is a reflection of three things.

1. His Jealousy - 2:11-17
2. His Judgment - 2:21
3. His Justice - they are getting what they want; Psalms 106:15  And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

These verses are a shadow of the future fulfillment; but these days are drawing nearer and nearer.

The things that are taken away are compared to bread and water.  This illustrates the simplicity, but the basic essentials - things we cannot do without.  Let's look at them.

I. Men - vs. 2, 3

There is a famine of men in the land - real men!! Notice the detailed description of the kind of men that have been taken away from our society, our churches, and our families today.

• The mighty man - men that are strong; not weak; not double minded; stable
• The man of war - fearless, not afraid of a fight; not timid cowards; guts
• The judge - men with discernment; rationality; logical; forethought
• The prophet - spiritual men; men that communicate with God; God uses them to speak to others
• The prudent - men with character; honesty and integrity in their dealings
• The ancient - men with maturity; experience; when I became a man I put away childish things...
• The captain of fifty - leaders; men that can follow their leader and yet help him by leading others
• The honourable - men that are respected; men that people look up to
• The counselor - men that are wise; men that can give good godly counsel and wisdom to others
• The cunning artificer - men that are talented and use their talents for the cause of Christ (Ex. 36:1)
• The eloquent orator - men with controlled tongues; articulate, conscientious; thoughtful dialogue

II. Manners - vs. 4-5

Here we see the deterioration of the child.

            A. Babes that are Ruling - vs. 4

            B. Behavior that is Rebellious - vs. 5

            C. Boldness that is Repulsive - vs. 9

            D. Beating and Rejection - vs. 15

They go from running the house, to being disrespectful to authority, to rubbing their sin in your face, and then rubbing your face in the dirt!!  Why??  Because the MEN have been taken away!!! Verse 12

Because the parents would "oppress" their children, the children will gladly oppress the parents one day!!  We need MEN!!

III. Modesty - vs. 16-26

            A. The Haughty - vs. 16

            B. The Hunters - vs. 16 walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes - lustful, looking for something

            C. The Hussies - vs. 17 - they are immodest; reveal their secret parts; mini-skirts, shorts, pants, low blouses, etc.  (Harlots charge you for it; hussies do it for free!)

• In verse 16 they are Stuck Up
• In verse 16, they are Stepping Out
• In verse 17, they are Showing Off
• In verse 24, they are Stinking Up
• In verse 26, they are Sitting Down (on the ground in mourning)

• No Fear - vs. 16
• No Femininity - vs. 18-23
• No Fulfillment - vs. 24
• No Fellowship - vs. 26

Notice the digression of the woman when there is no MAN.

• Vain - 16
• Vulgar - vs. 17
• Vile - vs. 24 (abortion, (stink), shaved heads (baldness, Britney Spears) burning (tanning beds, mixed bathing, bikinis,)
• Vexed - vs. 26