When Isaiah opens the chapter with “Behold, a king will reign in righteousness,” the message is clear: Jesus will rule, and those who belong to Him will rule alongside Him.
But the second half of the chapter shifts tone. Suddenly Isaiah turns his attention to “you women who are at ease… you complacent daughters” (Isaiah 32:9). It’s jarring, and it’s meant to be. This isn’t a random change of subject. It’s a prophetic warning.
Why Women? Why This Imagery?
In the Old Testament, God often addressed women—especially noble or wealthy women—when He wanted to expose the spiritual condition of the whole nation.
Women represented:
- Comfort
- Security
- Family and cultural stability
- The heart of the nation
So when God says, “Rise up, you women who are at ease,” He’s saying:
Complacency has taken root in society at every level. Pride is the air everyone is breathing.
The imagery is symbolic, but it’s cutting.
And ironically, it speaks straight into our cultural moment.
The Connection to Modern Feminism
When I read this passage, the first thing that came to mind was the pride at the center of much of modern feminism—not the original pursuit of protection or equality, but the modern version built on self-exaltation, self-definition, rejection of God’s design, and the belief that independence from Him is a virtue.
It’s the same spirit Isaiah was confronting:
- Self-reliance over God-reliance
- Comfort instead of repentance
- Pride instead of humility
- Control instead of surrender
This has nothing to do with men vs. women. Scripture never pits the genders against each other.
What God judges is pride, no matter where it shows up.
But Isaiah’s imagery hits our cultural moment with precision. The loudest voice of pride in our generation has been a movement telling people—especially women—that:
“You don’t need God.”
“You don’t need anyone.”
“You decide what is right.”
“Your body, your truth, your power.”
It’s the same lie the serpent whispered in Genesis 3:
“You will be like God.”
Isaiah says this pride leads to shaking, trembling, and judgment.
God Always Confronts a Culture of Self-Exaltation
Isaiah 32 warns that when a society places its confidence in itself—its pleasure, prosperity, comfort, and self-made identity—God removes the illusion of stability.
The prophet describes:
- Mourning instead of joy
- Desolation instead of security
- Collapse instead of self-confidence
This is not cruelty—it’s mercy.
God tears down pride so He can rebuild hearts that will finally turn to Him.
But Judgment Isn’t the End of the Story
The chapter ends with hope:
“Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high… then justice will dwell in the wilderness and righteousness abide in the fruitful field.”
— Isaiah 32:15
Judgment breaks pride,
but the Spirit restores life.
Righteousness returns.
Peace returns.
Order returns.
The King reigns.
And this is where all of Isaiah’s messages lead:
Human pride collapses.
God’s Kingdom stands.
Jesus reigns in righteousness.
That is the message Isaiah is driving home—not just for ancient Israel, but for our world today.