Isaiah 1
-Isaiah is the first of the major
prophetical books in the Old Testament Scriptures covering the period of time
in Isaiah’s ministry from approximately 740 B.C. to 681 B.C. when tradition
says that he was executed under the reign of Manasseh, king of Judah. Isaiah is
the son of Amoz and more than likely raised in an aristocratic home. However,
he was called to prophesy the LORD’s judgment upon a sinful people, which takes
up the first 39 chapters or so in the text. This made him in many ways
unpopular and rejected by the establishment in Judah. But he remained faithful
to the call and commands of the LORD. The later half of the book is far more
encouraging as Messianic prophecies give hope and comfort to the audience who
would hear the redeeming message. Isaiah was a special representative of God
during many kings’ reigns, and he has a special place in the biblical
chronology of the salvation message. Think through the themes of return,
repentance, renewal, redemption, and rejoicing as you study this wonderful
material that has inspired so many of the righteous through millennia and
millennia. Isaiah lives in the time of the Assyrian invasion that took captive
the northern kingdom of Israel. Isaiah spends most of his days in the Holy City
of Jerusalem where he gets most of his revelation from the LORD.
-In chapter one the prophet
begins with the fact that Judah and Jerusalem have revolted against the LORD
their God. They are described as a sinful nation, weighed down with iniquity,
the offspring of evildoers, sons who act corruptly abandoning, despising, and
turning away from the LORD (Isaiah 1:1-4). Their rebellion is described as
making them sick in the head and heart, from the foot all the way up to their
top with nothing sound in this body. “Only bruises, welts, and raw wounds, not
pressed out or bandaged, nor softened with oil (Isaiah 1:5-6).” Judah is
portrayed as a desolate land with cities burned with fire and strangers
devouring much like Sodom and Gomarrah (Isaiah 1:7-9). The prophet wants them
to hear the Word of the LORD and receive His instruction. Their sacrifices and
festivals have been multiplied but are detestable in the sight of God because
there is no heart for their true King. They only give a façade of worship.
Their hearts are not right. Therefore, the in His wisdom will not listen to
their prayers. His eyes are hidden from them because their hands are covered
with blood (they are guilty, Isaiah 1:10-15).
-Key verses sixteen and
seventeen. “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your
deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil. Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove
the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” God tells them to reason
together (unity) for the purpose of cleansing from sin and depravity. If they
will consent and obey, they will be revived and eat the best of the land. In
other words, healing is promised. But, if they refuse and rebel, the sword will
indeed devour them truly by the words of the LORD (Isaiah 1:18-20). A city,
Jerusalem, who was once faithful and righteous, has turned as a harlot. Rulers
who are rebels, companions of thieves, lovers of bribes, chasers of rewards,
neglectors of orphans and widows are listed as the culprits in this travesty of
a situation, which the prophet of God must address (Isaiah 1:21-23). God
promises to fight for His cause in this situation. He will turn His hand
against His foes and purge the evil of the land, even if it is within His own
countrymen. He guarantees restoration of the judges and counselors as it was in
the beginning of the nation’s heritage. He will make this city be called “the
city of righteousness, a faithful city” once again. Zion will be redeemed with
justice, and her repentant ones with righteousness. On the other side of the
coin, transgressors and sinners will be crushed all together, and those who
forsake the LORD their God will come to a complete end. Like an oak whose leaf
fades away, they will gone with none to help them (Isaiah 1:24-31).
*Application* The distinction between the righteous and the unrighteous should
be so clear to us from this passage. Obey the LORD, be humbled by His grace and
mercy to redeem and restore, and be blessed. His desire is to help you too.
Don’t be rebellious against what God is trying to do to improve in your life. Get
rid of the sin and corruption that holds you back from his favor. Care for
people all around you and have regard for them. This is a delight in the LORD’s
eyes, not your superficial church attendance and giving. Be transformed by the
renewing of your heart and mind (Romans 12:1-2).
Verses to Memorize: Isaiah 1:16-17
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