"If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword"; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken." –Isaiah 1:19-20
The prophet Isaiah lived during one of the darkest times in the Jewish nation's history. The nation was on a blind march toward destruction. They seemed incapable of grasping the true condition they were in. The spiritual collapse of their nation was nearly complete, yet they sincerely though all was well.
However, God's view of this nation in revolt against Him was tragically different. They were so sick that, from the "sole of the foot even to the head," they were like a decaying corpse (v. 6). Yet they thought just the opposite of themselves. They felt very confident in themselves and their relationship with God. Their religious observances were excessive. They brought a multitude of sacrifices to God, they had special "sacred meetings and feasts," as they lifted their hands heavenward and prayed. They appeared very zealous for God and fully believed they were received by Him. Yet, God literally hated seeing their special feasts and meetings and closed His ears to their loud prayers (1:2-15).
This strange ability to be so completely self-deceived is shocking. Darkness can appear as light, lies appear to be true. In this self-imposed darkness, shielded from His light, we are in the worst of all places. Is there any hope for us when we have become prisoners of our own self-induced darkness? It begins with God. God has sent His Son to be a light to a world in darkness. It is a light that in God's grace shines upon us all. It becomes only a matter of whether we will come to that light (John 8:12; Is. 9:1, 60:13). This light will expose our darkness. It then becomes a simple but deeply profound moment for us to be honest with ourselves and God or retreat back into darkness. If we choose to stand in His light, humble confession will be met by transforming forgiveness and grace. Light will begin to break into our inner being when we ourselves become truly broken before God. It is only the person with a broken and contrite heart that God promises to dwell among, to revive and prosper (Is. 66:2).
Humility and tenderness of heart before God are fostered by a willing and obedient heart that will, by faith, begin to step away from the darkness we live in. This obedience is the beginning step of repentance. Isaiah makes this very clear when he commands us to "Wash yourselves...put away evil...learn to do good, seek justice, rebuke the oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow" (1:16-17). And with each step we leave darkness farther behind.
In the process of repentance we will discover how far we have fallen and how blind we have been. It is only then that we have the ability to "reason" with God about our true sinful condition. Then and only then will we come to our senses and see our desperate need for grace and forgiveness. It is in His light that God's offer of complete cleansing of sin and restoration becomes our greatest desire. Without this we, like the people of Isaiah's time, blindly walk in self-induced darkness that leads to destruction.
1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
The Wickedness of Judah
2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth!
For the Lord has spoken:
"I have nourished and brought up children,
And they have rebelled against Me;
3 The ox knows its owner
And the donkey its master's crib;
But Israel does not know,
My people do not consider."
God's Case Against His People v. 1 Judah – After the death of Solomon, the nation was divided into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom was referred to as Israel or Ephraim and consisted of 10 tribes. The southern kingdom, Judah, consisted of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Jerusalem – This was the capital of Judah and the location of the Jewish Temple. It was an ancient city, referred to approximately 2,000 years before the birth of Christ as "Salem," the home of the king and priest, Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18). Uzziah – This king ruled for 52 years as a good king in general. But he compromised by never ridding Judah of the places of idol worship. He died a leper, the consequences of his attempt to perform ceremonial functions in the Temple that were to be done only by priests. Jotham – He began his reign at the age of 25 and ruled for 16 years. | Ahaz – This king ruled for 16 years and was noted for his ungodly leadership (2 Chron. 28). Hezekiah – He ruled for 29 years and was a godly leader (2 Chron. 29). v. 2 Hear, O Heavens – The heavens and the whole earth are called upon figuratively to consider the rebellious condition of Israel. The idea here is that below the heavens and upon the earth many absurdities occur, but none can compare with the way the Jews have treated God. I have nourished – The origin, position, and prosperity of Israel are directly linked to God. v. 3 master crib – This was the wooden box used to hold feed for domestic animals. It is a metaphor for the people's failure to realize that God has been the source of their provision. |
4 Alas, sinful nation,
A people laden with iniquity,
A brood of evildoers,
Children who are corrupters!
They have forsaken the Lord,
They have provoked to anger
The Holy One of Israel,
They have turned away backward.
5 Why should you be stricken again?
You will revolt more and more.
The whole head is sick,
And the whole heart faints.
6 From the sole of the foot even to the head,
There is no soundness in it,
But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores;
They have not been closed or bound up,
Or soothed with ointment.
7 Your country is desolate,
Your cities are burned with fire;
Strangers devour your land in your presence;
And it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
v. 4 sinful nation – Here God gives examples of the sinful rebellion against Him. Not only are his people weighted down with sin but are also a corrupting influence upon others. provoked to anger – They are forcing the hand of God in judgment in their rebellious and blatantly sinful lives. v. 5 why – God asks this question to point out how hardened the people have become. He sees no value in sending His chastening hand upon them to awaken their consciences because they have become so spiritually sick and unresponsive. | v. 7 desolate – The nation from God's vantage point is being destroyed and caving from within. There is no moral strength to combat outside forces that progressively are controlling the nation through their idolatrous influences. The people however had a completely different view of their condition. Their economy was still strong and the invading Assyrian army that overran the northern kingdom had not conquered them. God is warning that their security will be short lived if they do not repent (ch. 3). |
8 So the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard,
As a hut in a garden of cucumbers,
As a besieged city.
9 Unless the Lord of hosts
Had left to us a very small remnant,
We would have become like Sodom,
We would have been made like Gomorrah.
10 Hear the word of the Lord,
You rulers of Sodom;
Give ear to the law of our God,
You people of Gomorrah:
11 "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?"
Says the Lord.
"I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
And the fat of fed cattle.
I do not delight in the blood of bulls,
Or of lambs or goats.
12 "When you come to appear before Me,
Who has required this from your hand,
To trample My courts?
13 Bring no more futile sacrifices;
Incense is an abomination to Me.
The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—
I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.
14 Your New Moons and your appointed feasts
My soul hates;
They are a trouble to Me,
I am weary of bearing them.
v. 9 small remnant – This refers to the small group of genuine believers among the Jews who sought to please God. God withheld total destruction of the nation not because He did not care about the people's moral crisis but because He honored the few in the nation who were faithful to Him. | False Hope of Religious Practice v. 11 your sacrifices – Verse 13 calls these sacrifices futile. They have no meaning or effect because they do not represent a sincere life of respect and pursuit of God's will. In this section, verses 11-15, God makes clear that insincere religious observances are not only empty, but also anger Him. |
15 When you spread out your hands,
I will hide My eyes from you;
Even though you make many prayers,
I will not hear.
Your hands are full of blood.
16 "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.
Cease to do evil,
17 Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Rebuke the oppressor;
Defend the fatherless,
Plead for the widow.
18 "Come now, and let us reason together,"
Says the Lord,
"Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land;
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
You shall be devoured by the sword";
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
The Degenerate City
21 How the faithful city has become a harlot!
It was full of justice;
Righteousness lodged in it,
But now murderers.
22 Your silver has become dross,
Your wine mixed with water.
v. 16 wash yourselves – In v. 16-17, God calls the people to take practical steps of repentance. Repentance—turning away from sin and by faith beginning to do God's will, surpasses religious rituals in seeking and maintaining a genuine relationship with God. v. 18 let us reason – In v. 18-20, God promises total cleaning and forgiveness if they will see the logic in changing the direction of their lives, turning away from sin, and then accepting a new beginning through confession and forgiveness. | v. 19 good of the land – God makes it clear that His deep desire is to prosper and bless His people if they will only come under His all-wise council and guidance. If they refuse, He promises certain judgment (v. 20) v. 22 mixed with water – One of the causes of their moral decline and impending judgment was their compromise with sinful influences as explained in verses 21-23. The purity of silver or wine weakened by polluting outside influences is seen as a picture of the acceptance of sinful influences upon society. |
23 Your princes are rebellious,
And companions of thieves;
Everyone loves bribes,
And follows after rewards.
They do not defend the fatherless,
Nor does the cause of the widow come before them.
24 Therefore the Lord says,
The Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel,
"Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries,
And take vengeance on My enemies.
25 I will turn My hand against you,
And thoroughly purge away your dross,
And take away all your alloy.
26 I will restore your judges as at the first,
And your counselors as at the beginning.
Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city."
27 Zion shall be redeemed with justice,
And her penitents with righteousness.
28 The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together,
And those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.
29 For they shall be ashamed of the terebinth trees
Which you have desired;
And you shall be embarrassed because of the gardens
Which you have chosen.
30 For you shall be as a terebinth whose leaf fades,
And as a garden that has no water.
31 The strong shall be as tinder,
And the work of it as a spark;
Both will burn together,
And no one shall quench them.
v. 24 rid myself – In verses 24-31, God foretells His future judgment upon the nation and ultimately the world. He will bring about the blessed environment He wants for His own people by separating those who faithfully obey His wise and perfect will from those who will not. v. 29 ashamed – God points to the time when their idolatry and rebellion against Him will be seen in its true light. The Terebinth tree is mentioned because much of their idol worship was done in groves of trees upon hilltops. | v. 31 burn together – Those who appear bold and strong in their sin will one day be judged by fire. Their supposed power and strength will have no ability to quench the fires of eternal judgment |
