Isaiah 3:14

Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

سَيُعلِنُ اللهُ حُكمَهُ عَلَى قَادَةِ شَعْبِهِ وَرُؤَسَائِهِ، وَيَقُولُ لَهُمْ: «أكَلْتُمُ كَرْمَ العِنَبِ، وَسَرَقْتُمُ الفُقَرَاءَ وَأخَذْتُمْ مَالَهُمْ.

What Does This Mean?

This verse tells us that God will judge the leaders of his people because they have mistreated the poor and taken their belongings for themselves. God sees what they have done and will hold them accountable.

Explained for Children

Imagine if there were kids in your school who took toys from the younger kids and kept them for themselves. The teachers would be very upset and would make sure those kids face consequences. In this verse, God is like the teacher, and he's going to make sure the leaders who took things from the poor face consequences too.

Historical Background

The book of Isaiah was written by the prophet Isaiah around 700 BC. This verse speaks to the leaders of Israel, who were responsible for governing the people but had become corrupt, exploiting the poor and taking what wasn't theirs. This reflects the cultural setting where leaders were expected to uphold justice and fairness.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, this verse can apply to situations where leaders in any community—be it corporate executives, politicians, or community leaders—use their power to exploit others. For example, a CEO who uses the company's funds for personal gain while the employees struggle with low wages.

Topics

• justice
• leadership
• poverty
• accountability
• exploitation
• consequences

Related Verses

• Micah 3:1-3
• Jeremiah 5:26-29
• Amos 5:7
• Luke 12:42-46
• James 5:1-6

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the 'ancients of his people'?

The 'ancients of his people' refers to the elders or leaders of Israel, who were responsible for governing and making decisions for the community.

What does 'eaten up the vineyard' mean?

Eating up the vineyard symbolizes the leaders exploiting and taking advantage of the resources that belonged to the community, particularly the poor.

Does this verse apply only to religious leaders?

No, it applies to any leaders, religious or secular, who misuse their power and resources at the expense of others, especially the poor.

How can this verse be used in a sermon?

This verse can be used to encourage leaders to act justly and fairly, reminding them of their accountability to a higher authority and the importance of caring for the less fortunate.