[:en]Introduction:
Isaiah meaning “the salvation of Jehovah” was a prophet during the reign of Kings of Judah – Uzziah, Jotham,, Ahaz and Hezekiah. He was martyred under Manasseh, the wicked son of Hezekiah about 680 BC.
The book of Isaiah is considered as a little Bible consisting of 66 chapters. Chapter 1-39 represents the Old Testament which condemned sin and warned about judgment. Chapters 40-66 represents the New Testament, prophesizing Judah’s deliverance from Babylonian captivity. The first section highlights law and condemnation while the second section emphasizes grace and redemption.
Isaiah 1
The nation of Israel seemed prosperous and religious but the spiritual state of the nation was not in God’s truth. The people were rebellious (v. 2). They were lower than animals (v. 3). They were evildoers and had forsaken the Lord. (vs. 3-4). Their country was desolate and their cities had become like Sodom and Gomorrah (vs. 7-*9). Their sacrifices, offerings and feasts were meaningless and detestable to the Lord (vs. 11-14). The Lord asked them to wash their hands, stop doing wrong, learn to do right, seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless and plead the cause of the widow (vs. 16-17). And God still offered his forgiveness saying “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, thought they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (v. 18). He assured them that if they are obedient, they will eat the best from the land (v. 19) but warned them that if they resist and rebel, they will be devoured by the sword (v. 20)
The city had become a harlot and murderers (v. 21) The rulers loved bribes and chased gifts and did not defend the cause of the fatherless and widows (v. 22). So, they Lord will avenge and purge away their dross and remove all their impurities. He will restore righteousness in the Faithful City” (vs. 24-26) Sinners and rebels will be broken and those who forsook the Lord will perish. (vs. 27-28)
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