This chapter elaborates on Judah’s / Israel’s suffering, comparing it to other nations who did / will suffer.
“For the chastisement of the daughter of my people has been greater than the punishment of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment, and no hands were wrung for her. Her princes were purer than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies were more ruddy than coral, the beauty of their form was like sapphire. Now their face is blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets; their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as wood… They wandered, blind, through the streets; they were so defiled with blood that no one was able to touch their garments.” (v6-8, 14)
This chapter does not seem to acknowledge the people’s sin very much, let alone encourage atonement. It focuses on their suffering, and compares that suffering to neighboring cities / nations.
We live in a comparison culture. You only need to spend a couple of moments on social media like Facebook or Etsy to realize that people are competing with one another. The two major categories seem to be the “best”, most “picture perfect” life, or the “worst”, “nobody else has it this bad” life.
Jesus didn’t compare people to each other – He compared them to God’s standards. He was gentle and meek, and loved everyone, encouraging them to “go and sin no more”, and to have “faith as big as a mustard seed”. He would not tell someone “go be somebody you’re not, modelling yourself after that person over there”.
We can safely be inspired by others (eg. their walk with Jesus), but I strongly caution us against comparing ourselves in a jealous or envious way. Inversely, it’s good to empower / inspire others through the way we live, but we must not let pride come into the mix (eg. saying “You should be more like me”); we should encourage others to be more like Jesus, not us. Generally, it’s safest to measure ourselves against God’s word and the Spirit’s guidance. Let’s not allow this world and its culture to dictate who we are, or who they say we should be; only our Creator and Redeemer has the right to tell us who we are / should be.
Father God, our Wise and Discerning Lord, thank you for leading us in the ways we ought to go. Thank you for teaching us to measure ourselves against Your word. Thank you for working through others to inspire our walk with Jesus, and thank you for working through us to encourage others to be more Christlike. In the name of Jesus our King we honor You, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training