(Isa. 3:2–8; Amos 3:7; Matt. 15:14.)
Everyone is after a career, … aspiring to be a VIP: “The mighty man of war, the judge, the prophet, the prudent, the elder, the captain, the honorable man, the counsellor, the cunning craftsman, the eloquent orator … (3:2–3). What about them? “I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.” (3:5). So much for their authority—and why? Because everyone is out for himself in this game of one-upmanship: “And the people shall be oppressed every one by another, every one by his neighbor (there’s competition for you!): the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient (what else can you expect?) And the base against the honorable” (3:5). Everything will get out of control. A man will take hold of his brother saying, you have clothes, so you be our ruler; you be responsible for this mess! But he will refuse the great honor, saying, “Don’t try to make me a ruler—I’m flat broke! (3:6–7) Because everybody will be broke, Isaiah continues 3:8: “For Jerusalem is ruined …” All because they stubbornly think they can go it alone.
(Hugh W. Nibley, “Great Are the Words of Isaiah” in Sidney B. Sperry Symposium [Provo, Utah: Religious Instruction, BYU, January 28, 1978], 200.)