Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

Isaiah

Isaiah 
Day 
Day 79

"Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees"

Text: Isaiah 10:1

A STRONG WORD OF REBUKE TO THE LAWMAKERS

The king, princes, judges and advisors were the lawmakers. Their work should have been to uphold justice and to protect the poor in particular. They failed miserably.

“Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees,
Who write misfortune,
Which they have prescribed
To rob the needy of justice,
And to take what is right from the poor of My people,
That widows may be their prey,
And that they may rob the fatherless.”
Isaiah 10:1-2

1. Pronouncement of “woe”.

a) A strong series of “woes” may be found in Isaiah 5.

b) “Woe” was also pronounced against the lawmakers here.

c) A pronouncement of “Woe” against the lawmakers.

i) This was a warning from the LORD.

ii) The lawmakers were not above Divine Law.

iii) The LORD would hold them accountable.

iv) He reserved the right to judge and punish them for their evil deeds.

2. What did the lawmakers do?

a) They passed “unrighteous decrees”.

b) Their writings resulted in misfortune for the victims of their decrees.

c) They legalised their wrongdoings by making decrees.

i) This enabled the rich and powerful to enforce the law.

ii) This resulted in a corrupt legal system.

3. Who were the victims?

a) The needy
The needy would have no recourse for justice.

b) The poor
The poor of the land were robbed of whatever rights that they had.

c) The widows
The widows became prey to these lawmakers.

d) The fatherless
The fatherless had no means to protect themselves.

Israel had become even more degenerate in moral uprightness!