Isaiah 1:21-31·~1 min

The Corruption of Zion

Jerusalem is lamented as a once-faithful city now become a harlot, its silver turned to dross and its rulers into rebels who love bribes. The city is shown as corrupt not only spiritually but socially, since justice is withheld from orphans and widows.

S²¹ee how the faithful city has become a harlot! ²²Your silver has become dross; ²³Your rulers are rebels,

The Lord GOD of Hosts declares that He will act against His adversaries, turning His hand upon Zion to smelt away impurity and restore judges and counselors as at first. The goal of this purifying judgment is not annihilation alone but the redemption of Zion with justice and righteousness.

²⁴Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts, ²⁵I will turn My hand against you; ²⁶I will restore your judges as at first, ²⁷Zion will be redeemed with justice,

Rebels and sinners will be shattered together, and those who trusted in sacred groves and gardens will be put to shame. Idolaters will become like withered trees and dry gardens, and both strong men and their works will burn together with none to quench the fire.

²⁸But rebels and sinners will together be shattered, ²⁹Surely you will be ashamed of the sacred oaks ³⁰For you will become like an oak whose leaves are withered, ³¹The strong man will become tinder

Section summaryThe chapter closes by lamenting how the faithful city has become corrupt, full of impurity, bribery, and neglect of the weak. Yet the same God who will avenge Himself on His adversaries also promises to purge away dross, restore righteous leadership, redeem Zion through justice, and expose the idolaters whose strength will fail in fire.

Role in the chapterThis section concludes the chapter by holding together Zion's corruption, God's purifying judgment, and the hope of restored righteousness.