Isaiah 1:1-3
This is the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem. This is a vision, not just hearing, dream, etc.
All of heaven and earth are called as witness to the proclamation. This is language echoing Deut 30:19 and 31:28, where heaven and earth were witness to the covenant between God and Israel. The Lord has spoken and when He speaks it is wise to listen.
God acted as the doting parent, having nourished the children and raising them up. Yet, as His children grew up, they failed to recognize Him as their father. They were disrespectful in that they rebelled against Him. The dumb ox knows its owner, the stubborn donkey recognizes the crib belongs to the master. Israel disregards this knowledge, doesn't consider it. The animals understand who feeds them and takes care of them. Even our pets respect us and are loyal to us because they know who takes care of them. Someone asked the question, "Is your pet more loyal to you than you are to the Lord?"
Isaiah 1:4
The children became a sinful nation. They were 'laden'; this is bearing a large load of sin, larger than normal. Being labeled as a 'brood of evildoers' is to say that this was what they were famous for. This was their heritage and posterity. They were corrupt children and corrupt children must be dealt with. Their corruption will only grow as they grow. They forsook God and provoked Him to anger as they turned their back toward Him – an act that expresses their knowledge of Him as well as their lack of respect or reverence.
Isaiah 1:5-6
Affliction and affliction, there was no change. Why do it again? The rebellion was habitual and a sickness. Israel had a heart problem. The punishment was meted out "fom the sole of the foot even to the head'; this reflects that God dealt with Israel from the leaders and elders at the top to the very least in the land. Across the board, they were sick, no health was found in them.
Isaiah pictures Israel as being covered with wounds and bruises and putrefying sores. They are beat, chastised over and over but refuse to change their ways. They refuse to acknowledge God and cry out to Him to bind them up and heal their sores.
Isaiah 1:-7-9
They couldn't see where their rebellion had brought them. The country was desolate. The Assyrians had left 46 cities destroyed or under siege in 701B.C. The farmlands were also devastated by the armies invading their land. The invading armies were well fed as they starved out the cities. At the end of verse nine, there is some thought that the phrase 'overthrown by strangers' was supposed to be 'overthrown like Sodom'. Either way, the point is clear.
The picture of verse eight is of a Jerusalem standing alone and forlorn in a field. Jerusalem was like a booth in a vineyard; the booth was a temporary structure used to protect the vineyard till harvest and then it would be abandoned. Sennacherib, who laid siege to Jerusalem said he left Hezekiah trapped, 'like a bird in a cage'.
The Lord of Hosts is title showing God is also their warrior in battle. Unless it were for the Lord, they would be like Sodom and Gomorrah; both no longer exist. They have been wiped from the face of the earth but God preserved a remnant, as He always did. It is only by God's grace that Israel is preserved. Paul quotes this verse in Romans 9:29.
Isaiah 1:-10-15
Isaiah clarifies that the words he speaks are not his but the Lords. He then proceeds to insult the rulers by referring to them as rulers of Sodom, a proverbial wicked city. There was clearly a very religious environment in Israel, but it was one of outward rites and rituals and no relationship or reverence toward God.
- A multitude of sacrifices were useless without turning away from the sin. The sacrifice was to show their dependence on Yahweh, yet they felt no such dependence. God asked, "What purpose does this have?"
- He also had enough their Burnt offerings. The burnt offering was a pleasing aroma to the Lord (Lev 1:9). They would have thought this statement ridiculous. The offering as a gift totally devoted to God.
- The fat and blood were the most important parts (Lev 1:5; 3:3-4). God had had enough. It wasn't animals he wanted; it wasn't blood poured out of fragrance of the offering. It was the heart and attitude of worship he desired.
He asked who required this. They mistakenly thought God wanted all these religious actions and rituals. He considered it a trampling of the courts, a defilement from the unholy as they approached Him. He said stop! All this was an abomination. They took part in the celebrations as if they meant something to them, but they didn't.
I can't imagine a stronger point from God than to here Him say He hates.
They spread their hands to pray, God said He won't hear them. As they spread their hands to pray, he sees their hands full of blood. They were unclean, unprepared or full of violence; maybe all three.
Isaiah 1:16-17
They couldn't wash the sin away; nor could they wash away their guilt, but they could wash the blood from their hands. They could put away their evil doings and repent inwardly. They could control the pattern of their life, learning to do good instead of the self-centered evil that came so naturally. The righteous leaders would always seek to do justice, particularly among the weakest members of society, the orphan and widow.
Isaiah 1:18-20
God is holy and He alone is righteous; He is creator and sustainer of the universe, therefore He gets to make the rules. He decides what is reasonable. In our sin-fallen state, we really aren't in a place to argue what is reasonable. But in God's grace He invites us to bring our argument and in turn we can hear His. What can man bring to this conversation though? God offers a cleansing; instead of being covered with blood, we are covered by The Blood. We will be washed clean. It's not mandatory, you can try your way. It comes down to your willingness and obedience; but they were offered the 'good of the land'. The 'good of the land' was the best it had to offer, a blessing in the lives of the obedient. For the disobedient, there was war, judgment and curse.
Isaiah 1:21-23
The faithful city, Jerusalem, has become a harlot, an unfaithful city. Things had changed drastically; justice filled the city and righteousness is pictured as having once lived there, but it has since moved away and justice can't be found. Now murdered live there. The things that at one time proved their blessing were now faint pictures of the past. From wealth to what was on their table, from the palace to the shack, there was evidence they were cursed for turning from God. It was clear there was no justice or righteousness, though no one took personal responsibility for these unrighteous acts. Everyone was doing what was right in their own eyes because they had no leader showing them the moral boundaries. They had no Lord.
Isaiah 1:24-26
All the previous assessment brings the Lord to a conclusion. It is though provoking the Lord is displayed in three ways; The Lord, The Lord Almighty, The Mighty One of Israel.
- The Lord: Heb (adon); a general term for lord over all, master.
- The Lord of Hosts: Heb (YHWH); the God of Israel, Lord of a great army
- The Mighty One of Israel; Heb (abir); The God of Israel, known for strength, power and capability.
The thee names and aspects of the names reflect the trinity.
The three names are the mirrored with three "I will" statements. It was a three step process that was coming; judgment, cleansing and restoration. At the end of the process, the city would be restored to righteousness and once again be known as the faithful city.
Isaiah 1:27-31
The redemption process would start with judgment that would drive the nation to repentance and righteousness in God's eyes. When this day of reckoning comes, they will be ashamed because the terebinth trees. The groves on high places were a pagan ritual with the trees carved as phallic symbols. These were all part of the idolatry that angered God. They saw nothing wrong with it and were living in it every day. When God takes issue with it and deals with them, then they will be ashamed.
God would make them like fading tree leaf or the garden without water. These pagan idols and practices will be as tinder for the fire of judgment. The rebellious man and all his works will burn up in the end. No one shall quench the fire. There will be no relenting when it starts; no one will be able to help on that day.
Our idols are much different. An idol is anything that comes between us and God. When our faith is in our works or some other thing of the world, it interferes without relationship with God. When the works of our hand impress us and make us prideful, this is idolatry that God hates.
©2018 Doug Ford
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