The Book of Isaiah

This was a difficult piece to write. I was struggling with my womanhood, and for some reason God directed my attention to the Book of Isaiah. In the past, I’ve had accusations thrown my way and always found me placing blame on myself. I mean if the shoe fits…., right…? If I always found myself in the midst of these accusations, there must be some truth to what was being said. But many times, I questioned, if I were someone else…, would these same accusations ever exist. As you know I am an advocate for those who not only have been mistreated, but who feel their lot in life is pointless, due to their own shortcoming, or unfortunate involvement in a situation which was beyond their control. Or perhaps, simply due to how they perceive themselves in the eyes of society. When I came across a particular passage in the Book of Isaiah, it enraged me. It was Isaiah 3: 16 – 26.

16The LORD says, “Beautiful Zion^a is haughty:

craning her elegant neck,

flirting with her eyes,

walking with dainty steps,

tinkling her ankle bracelets.

17So the Lord will send scabs on her head;

the LORD will make beautiful Zion bald.”

18On that day of judgment

the Lord will strip away everything that makes her beautiful:

ornaments, headbands, crescent necklaces,

19earrings, bracelets, and veils;

20scarves, ankle bracelets, sashes,

perfumes, and charms;

21rings, jewels,

22party clothes, gowns, capes, and purses;

23mirrors, fine linen garments,

head ornaments, and shawls.

24Instead of smelling of sweet perfume, she will stink.

She will wear a rope for a sash,

and her elegant hair will fall out.

She will wear rough burlap instead of rich robes.

Shame will replace her beauty.^b

25The men of the city will be killed with the sword,

and her warriors will die in battle.

26The gates of Zion will weep and mourn.

The city will be like a ravaged woman,

huddled on the ground.

Many versions label this passage “Judgement on the women of Jerusalem.” As you can imagine my first impression depicted it being an attack on women in general. I thought, in reading this passage it doesn’t sound like God cares for the likes of women very much. I wouldn’t wish my worst enemy baldness, especially if she were a woman, for as we all know this is her crown of glory. Why would God curse women in such a way as to take away her beauty? Or, to take away that which gives her the feeling of beauty, as would the sweet smell of perfume, accentuating her body, or pieces of jewelry adorning her ears. Are we not supposed to wear jewelry, and perfume? Comb our hair in a way that is becoming to us. My thoughts were all over the place, and nothing sat well with my spirit. But there are times God will give you an insight and you believe he wants you to go one way, but when you consult him further, as to which direction you should take, he directs you down a whole other path, you had no idea even existed.

So, in my journey, God showed me the message in the passage was twofold. In one aspect it was a depiction of those women in Jerusalem who adorned themselves in fine clothing, and exotic perfume, jewelry, and lofty styles of coiffure with the purpose to weaken the strength of a man. He then used this as a metaphor to describe the downfall of Jerusalem, that because of their arrogance and disobedience and love of other gods, He’d have nothing to do with them.  God was trying to say, that which I made to be beautiful, you have defiled and made undesirable, using the beauty which I have given you for something other than what it was intended. Just as God did not give woman to man to weaken them, he did not give the chosen a land flowing with milk and honey to be defiled. Women were here to love and support their men, build them up so that they could be the warriors God created them to be.  The chosen were set free not to live any kind of way and forget the laws of God. They were not set free to defile the land, themselves, and or God. Or to walk haughtily around as if they were all that mattered, with no regard to the law, but every regard to their flesh.   God envisioned his people as beauty. As beautiful as the women he created. But what they did with this beauty was relentless, and unpleasing to Him.  Because of their disobedience he cursed them. He felt you reap what you sow. You take away their strength, I take away your beauty. You misuse the freedom, I take away the land, and leave you with nothing. He knew of no other way to remind them He was God, and they were the chosen who should live their lives accordingly.

As for my take and how this relates to my own life, I don’t believe God dislikes me. My intentions, when I dress are not to entice men, or to make them weak. I dress according to how I feel. The colors I wear, the scent I choose; I believe all women tend to do what makes them feel beautiful. No doubt the passage scared me due to the trouble I’ve had with my own hair. Was God telling me he disapproved of me in some way? All the accusations…, was this how I was seen in the eyes of everyone who knew me? Because I wore the perfume…, the makeup…, always making an attempt to appear presentable, even if it were just to go to the neighborhood corner store. Was the habit of not stepping foot out of my house unadorned, or unpresentable, my demise? Was my pride in myself my demise? No… it is not a curse placed on me, or any nationality, or person who has had trouble in the past growing their hair (as presumed by many comments placed throughout the internet). God knows our heart. Yes, in the old testament plagues were a sign of punishment, but not all tribulations are for punishment. Sometimes they are exercises to make us stronger. If we know in our hearts our intentions are good, well then, so does God. We can’t let what people think of us, break us. My God given instincts, that allow me to feel the sorrow of others can sometimes be a curse instead of a blessing, especially when relevant to members of the opposite sex.  I realize, my open, compassionate, and understanding heart can get me into trouble.  Another one of my crosses which I must bear, and which will compel me to guard my heart when necessary. But, for once I am at peace with the hand I have been dealt. I am who God created me to be. I don’t want to be someone’s patsy anymore because someone can’t bear to fess up to the truth which lies within themselves. But from past experience it seems to be my lot, so if I must be the sacrificial lamb, then who am I to argue…

CWB