Isaiah 1:1-3, 12-13, 15-20 NIV
The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the Lord has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”
When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. 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. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us settle the matter,” 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. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm drawn to reading the prophet Isaiah. This book is very important to the New Testament authors. Isaiah is quoted many times by them. From Isaiah they read the prophecy of the virgin birth of the messiah. From Isaiah they read the promise of the Prince of Peace and His righteous and everlasting government. They learned of the suffering Christ will endure for the sake of the people. After the resurrection of Jesus from the grave and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit the disciples began to have their eyes opened. They read the Hebrew scriptures in a new light. They began to see that the scriptures were fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. While Isaiah wrote of Israel, its fall, exile and restoration, the disciples began to see the promises and predictions of the prophets fulfilled, not in the nation of Israel, but in Jesus. His followers became a new Israel.
Isaiah writes during the national leadership of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. Chapter One establishes that Israel is rebellious against the Lord. They have turned their backs on Him and forgotten His right ways. Now God has spoken to the people through the prophet to confront their sin and call them back to faithfulness.
From this chapter some Christians see proof of God cancelling the sacrificial system of the temple. The Book of Hebrews, while it quotes Psalm 40, reflects this sentiment.
Hebrews 10:8-9 NIV
First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second.
In truth God was rejecting false worship, worship in form but not in heart. Their lips profess His name but their hearts are far from them. (Isa 29:13)
God calls to wayward Israel to repent.
Isaiah 1:16-17 NIV
Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
Here we learn what repentance looks like. It is to turn away from wrongdoing and begin doing the right thing, which is justice and charity, with the Lord's compassion, for the underprivileged and marginalized. The reward for repentance, for this obedient turnaround, is atonement or redemption from past sins. These righteous acts toward others wipe away the stain of past sin.
Consider the Charles Dickens character Ebenezer Scrooge, who humbugged Christmas and turned away opportunities to relieve the suffering of the poor. His hard heart was changed by the visit of three ghosts. They helped him to see that his obsession with wealth left him destitute. He was filled with joy on Christmas morning with the prospect of giving. He became known as the man who knew how to celebrate Christmas well. His past no longer defined him because of his generous heart and righteous acts. Scrooge's resources saved Tiny Tim's life.
Salvation based on right belief about God that does not translate to righteous action is no salvation at all. Righteous action, without the love of Christ transforming our hearts, is empty... eternally speaking. Salvation is about Christ dwelling in those who believe and making them new from the heart. That new heart will find expression in acts of justice and compassion.
How does Isaiah speak today? Anywhere the population has forgotten God and turned away from His right ways, the confronting words and the comforting words still ring with relevance.
Stop doing wrong.
Don't think occupying a church pew gets you anywhere with God if your witness does not lead to acts of justice and compassion.
Learn to do right.
Start caring for the needy and marginalized.
And know the reward for your obedient response.
Isaiah 1:18 NIV
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the Lord has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”
When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. 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. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us settle the matter,” 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. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm drawn to reading the prophet Isaiah. This book is very important to the New Testament authors. Isaiah is quoted many times by them. From Isaiah they read the prophecy of the virgin birth of the messiah. From Isaiah they read the promise of the Prince of Peace and His righteous and everlasting government. They learned of the suffering Christ will endure for the sake of the people. After the resurrection of Jesus from the grave and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit the disciples began to have their eyes opened. They read the Hebrew scriptures in a new light. They began to see that the scriptures were fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. While Isaiah wrote of Israel, its fall, exile and restoration, the disciples began to see the promises and predictions of the prophets fulfilled, not in the nation of Israel, but in Jesus. His followers became a new Israel.
Isaiah writes during the national leadership of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. Chapter One establishes that Israel is rebellious against the Lord. They have turned their backs on Him and forgotten His right ways. Now God has spoken to the people through the prophet to confront their sin and call them back to faithfulness.
From this chapter some Christians see proof of God cancelling the sacrificial system of the temple. The Book of Hebrews, while it quotes Psalm 40, reflects this sentiment.
Hebrews 10:8-9 NIV
First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second.
In truth God was rejecting false worship, worship in form but not in heart. Their lips profess His name but their hearts are far from them. (Isa 29:13)
God calls to wayward Israel to repent.
Isaiah 1:16-17 NIV
Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
Here we learn what repentance looks like. It is to turn away from wrongdoing and begin doing the right thing, which is justice and charity, with the Lord's compassion, for the underprivileged and marginalized. The reward for repentance, for this obedient turnaround, is atonement or redemption from past sins. These righteous acts toward others wipe away the stain of past sin.
Consider the Charles Dickens character Ebenezer Scrooge, who humbugged Christmas and turned away opportunities to relieve the suffering of the poor. His hard heart was changed by the visit of three ghosts. They helped him to see that his obsession with wealth left him destitute. He was filled with joy on Christmas morning with the prospect of giving. He became known as the man who knew how to celebrate Christmas well. His past no longer defined him because of his generous heart and righteous acts. Scrooge's resources saved Tiny Tim's life.
Salvation based on right belief about God that does not translate to righteous action is no salvation at all. Righteous action, without the love of Christ transforming our hearts, is empty... eternally speaking. Salvation is about Christ dwelling in those who believe and making them new from the heart. That new heart will find expression in acts of justice and compassion.
How does Isaiah speak today? Anywhere the population has forgotten God and turned away from His right ways, the confronting words and the comforting words still ring with relevance.
Stop doing wrong.
Don't think occupying a church pew gets you anywhere with God if your witness does not lead to acts of justice and compassion.
Learn to do right.
Start caring for the needy and marginalized.
And know the reward for your obedient response.
Isaiah 1:18 NIV
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
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