What city is Isaiah 1:21 talking about, and what was it like before?
Isaiah 1:21 is speaking about Jerusalem. Before its decline, it was a righteous city, full of judgment, with righteousness lodged in it, and the Jewish people were obedient to the Mosaic Law and its system. Later it became a harlot and was full of murderers.
Les explains that in Isaiah chapter 1, Isaiah is confronting the nation of Israel because of its sin and wickedness. In verse 21 he asks how the faithful city has become a harlot. Les identifies that city as Jerusalem. At one time it had been a righteous city, full of judgment, with righteousness lodged in it; the Jewish people were obedient to the Mosaic Law and the system. But they became so wicked that the city once full of righteousness was now full of murderers, as verse 22 continues.
How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.