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‘Woe” is a dangerous word in Scripture. Chapter 10 kicks off with God using this word as a warning of the severe consequences to come. It is the deprivation of the poor and needy from justice that triggers such a response. Bottom line: God has always cared about social issues. In this context, the Lord is speaking to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and specifically it’s capital of Samaria.
This language is familiar. We read this same word (Woe) used by Jesus to the Pharisees for the exact same reasons that God is speaking of in Isaiah. Matthew 23 is a whole chapter chock full of rebuke for those in authority who took advantage of, or neglected, the poor and needy.
The greatest one among you must be your servant. 12 Whoever makes himself great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be made great. 13 “How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You lock the door to the Kingdom of heaven in people’s faces, but you yourselves don’t go in, nor do you allow in those who are trying to enter!
Matthew 23:11-13 GNB
This raises an interesting question. Where are we overlooking opportunities to serve the less fortunate and thus keeping them from the Kingdom of God? Now, I’m not talking about blatant manipulation. I’m talking about ways in which we don’t even notice. The Pharisees were blind to their own hypocrisy. God, help us to see where our flesh is working against Your Kingdom.