[:en]SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 1
“Stop bring meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations – I cannot bear your evil assemblies” (Isaiah 1:13)
“When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen” (Isaiah 1:15)
“Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!. Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow” (Isaiah 1:16-17)
“Come now, let us reason together”, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18)
“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Isaiah 1:19-20)
INTRODUCTION:
Isaiah means “The Salvation of Jehovah”. Isaiah began his ministry near the close of the reign of King Uzziah about 758B.C. According to tradition, he was sawn asunder by wicked king Manasseh about 680 B.C.
The Bible is divided into two sections – the Old Testament which has 39 books and the New Testament which has 27 books totalling 66. The Old Testament emphasizes judgment while the New Testament emphasizes mercy and comfort.
The book of Isaiah is also called the “Little Bible”. It has also two sections: Chapters 1-39 and Chapters 46-66. In the first section, Assyria was the chief foe while in the last section, Babylon was the enemy. Isaiah counseled the nation concerning Assyria in the first half of his book. In the last half, he comforted the remnant concerning their return from Babylon.
A REBELLIOUS NATION
The nation of Israel seemed prosperous and religious outwardly but God saw them as rebellious, lower than ox and donkey (vs. 1-3). It is a sinful nation loaded with wickedness and corruption (vs. 4-5). Their worship was desolate similar to Sodom and Gomorrah (vs. 7-9).
They offered sacrifices and burnt offerings which were detestable to God. Their religious meetings were futile and became a burden and grief to the Lord (vs. 16-20). The city had become a harlot. People became murderers. Rulers loved bribes and gifts and judged unfairly (vs. 21-23). Their gardens will be destroyed by fire and they will be disgraced (vs. 27-31). God called them to seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless and plead the cause of the widow. God is offering forgiveness if they will repent and give them blessings if they were willing to obey. But if they will resist and rebel, they will be devoured by the sword (vs. 18-20).
Similarly, if we have unconfessed sins in our hearts, our offerings and sacrifices are unacceptable to God. But if we repent and ask for forgiveness, God is going to wash our sins as white as snow. (v. 16)
[:]