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July 9th

The bible reading today is in the first 4 chapters of Isaiah.

These prophecies of Isaiah are recorded in this book by his name. And Isaiah’s prophesies are quoted in the New Testament more than all the other prophets in scripture combined.

Isaiah ministered for 60 years. For 20 years he ministered in both the northern kingdom of the 10 tribes and the southern kingdom of Judah and Benjamin. For his final 40 years, Isaiah ministered exclusively in Judah.

He was a contemporary of Hosea and Micah. And by the time of Isaiah’s ministry, the prophets Elijah, Elisha, Obadiah, Joel, Jonah, and Amos had all come and gone.

As Isaiah’s ministry began, Assyria was about to besiege Israel.

Finishing up this overview, Isaiah was a great man of God.

Some say that Isaiah had the courage of Daniel, the tears of Jeremiah, the persuasive skill of Hosea, and the righteous anger of an Amos. Others have written that Isaiah left the other prophets behind by a long way when it came to the art of bold, holy mockery of ungodliness.

Now to the text of Isaiah’s message from God to rebellious Judah during the reign of the evil king, Ahaz.

“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“I have nourished and brought up children and instead of their grateful love and fellowship, they have turned their backs on me...not wanting anything to do with me.”

As a son to my parents, I fear that the heavenly records must certainly show my ungrateful and rebellious attitude toward my loving parents on many an occasion. God forgive me. And much more have I gone my way instead of my heavenly Father’s wishes and ways. Help me Holy Spirit to respond eagerly to your promptings that I may show love to the Father who has saved and nourished me.

Continuing in the text... “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats."

"Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1:11, 14-15‬ ‭

Isaiah preached a very hard message to Ahaz and Judah. “Your religious services, I hate.” They were most likely appalled at such a message. They were carrying out the feasts and sacrifices and ceremonies that God’s laws dictated. As far as the elders in Judah were concerned, they were good with God. They were fulfilling the ancient version of today’s church attendance and a few dollars in the offering plate.

But Isaiah’s prophesy was directed to “Judah’s heart” not to their Sunday school perfect attendance record. God was saying that their heart was not right with Him. And without the right heart, God hated their religious activity.

Even in our own relationship with God, if we are not careful, we too can lose our first love for the Lord, and be spewed out of his mouth like polluted water. We too can place our desires on good and better ideas for the church, rather than on an undistracted devotion to the one who saved us.

One more piece of the text...an appeal from the Lord to His people...

““Come now, 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 become like wool...”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1:18,19

Some pit reason against faith, saying God is beyond reasoning. So don't get caught up with racking your brains for more knowledge and understanding.

Here God invited His chosen ones...not perfect ones...chosen ones...those who believed Him...to “think”, not by themselves, but “to think with Him”.

Though your sins are scarlet...they shall be white as snow...”

How? In the Messiah...In Jesus Christ...his cross and resurrection that completely and permanently judged our sin so that in Christ, we are accounted, not as bloody guilty sinners, but as justified sons and daughters before God the Father...clean forever.

Halleluiah!