Isaiah 1

July 15, 2011

Isaiah. Tell it like it is Isaiah. I've been looking forward to reading/writing about Isaiah for a long time. However, I think it's going to be tough. He holds nothing back. He's blunt. He tells the truth whether Judah wants to hear it or not. He "gets it." He understands the

God

↓

Man

relationship. Isaiah saw God and it brought him to his knees. God is a Holy God and sin will be dealt with.

That is how Chapter 1 starts. God tells His children what their problems are. They have turned against Him. They should KNOW Him—but they do not. They've left the LORD and are doing evil. Everything is falling apart. Their health is suffering, their land is ruined, their possessions gone, and they just don't seem to "get it." They don't get that their actions is what is causing all their problems. They are still going through all the "religious" motions. They are bringing sacrifices and are having feasts and festivals. But it is just that—motions. For they have left the LORD. So this is what God tells them through his prophet Isaiah.

The LORD says:

• I don't want your sacrifices
• I've had enough of your burnt offerings
• I have no pleasure in the blood offerings
• Stop bringing me meaningless offerings
• Your incense is detestable to me
• I can't stand your meetings and feasts
• I hate the evil you are doing
• My soul hates your festivals and religious gatherings
• Your actions are burdensome and a heavy weight
• I'm tired of carrying this weight
• I refuse to look at you—even if you raise your arms
• I will not listen to you—even if you say many prayers

I hate all those things!  Stop!!

• Wash yourselves and make yourself clean
• Stop doing the evil things I see you do
• Stop doing wrong
• Learn to do good
• Seek justice
• Do the right things

Even though His people were doing all the things God hates and their offerings that used to bring Him pleasure were now detestable to Him, and even though they had chosen to leave Him, He still wanted them back. 

The LORD says:

• Come
• Let us talk
• Though your sins are many, they can be forgiven

IF—you become willing and you obey me
   THEN—you will be blessed again.

BUT!

IF—you refuse to obey me and you still turn against me,

   THEN—you will be destroyed.

"The LORD himself said these things."

IF—you do what is fair,

   THEN—you will be free again.

IF—you do what is right and come back to the LORD,

   THEN—you will have freedom.

BUT sinners, (those who have turned against God, and those who have left the LORD) will be destroyed and die. They will be ashamed, they will be disgraced, their power will be gone, and all they have worked for, and all their efforts will come to nothing.

Wow! All of that in just the first chapter of Isaiah. God requires full repentance. A turning towards and a turning from. It requires remorse and restitution. A change of heart. A new way of thinking.

God will do everything in his power to purge all sin out of us, but the choice to repent is still ours.

Isaiah 1:19–20 - "If you become willing and obey me, (then) you will eat good crops from the land. But if you refuse to obey and if you turn against me, (then) you will be destroyed by your enemies swords." The LORD himself said these things."  

God offered His people a way out of their sin and disobedience but they refused to change their hearts. Chapter 6 records God's response to their refusal. See Isaiah 6:1 - 7:25 and Isaiah 6:1 - 7:25  (Continued).


Next Entry: I AM: Your Deliverer