Isaiah 9:16
16 For the leaders ['ashar] of this people [`am] cause
them to err; [ta`ah] and they that are led ['ashar] of them are destroyed. [bala`] KJV-Interlinear
16 For those
who guide this people are leading them astray; And those who are guided by them
are brought to confusion. NASB
To err, ‘ta ah,’ means to
be deceived, to stray, to stagger, to wander.
Led, ‘ashar,’ means to be
straight, right, happy, to go forward, honest, proper, to guide.
Destroyed, ‘bala,’ means
to be devoured, to be swallowed down as in a whirlpool.
And so a slam against the
leadership of a following public, does not cast the blame entirely on the
leadership, because the public allows itself to be led, with eyes wide
open. Both are at fault.
The error is society,
comes from the leadership of society. Bad leadership leads to a wandering away
from truth and therefore into a delusional and false direction.
To be led in this
situation is a people that are happy and pleased to be led in the manner in
which they are being led. They see the
false, and choose the false, and are satisfied with the false. It appeals to their inner desires, which is
sin nature driven.
Even though the leadership
deceives due to the various lust drives within themselves, and for that they
are condemned, but also the followers enjoy and like the deceptions being
offered, so they are likewise condemned for their subscription to the deceit.
Anyone who has doctrine,
can see and discern between the true and the false. However, when there is no interest in
doctrine, then there is by default, no interest in truth, and therefore no interest
in the difference. Only the enticements
of the false are in view and that is what pleases and satisfies the follower.
Leaders want power,
control, authority, attention, approbation.
They are delusional with regard to their position and ability.
Followers want something
for nothing, benefit without responsibility.
Both easily put away that
which is true and right, in exchange for that which is false and wrong.
Destruction pursues and
swallows up both.
