Isaiah 1:10-20 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Isaiah 1:10-20. Let’s go!
Isaiah 1:10 (NIV)
10 Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah!
On verse 10: Why is God now addressing the people of Sodom and Gomorrah? He’s not. Rather God is calling the people of Judah “you rulers of Sodom…you people of Gomorrah”. It’s because Sodom and Gomorrah were two cities that were destroyed for their wickedness and God is now equating the level of Judah’s sin to that of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Isaiah 1:11-17 (NIV)
11 “The multitude of your sacrifices– what are they to me?” says the LORD. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
12 When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts?
13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations– I cannot bear your evil assemblies.
14 Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood;
16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong,
17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
On verses 11-17: Even though God was the One who originally invited the people of Judah to pray to Him and make sacrifices to Him, God now says that Judah’s prayers and sacrifices are “meaningless” (v13), “detestable” (v13) and burdensome (14) to Him. Why? It’s because their hearts are otherwise set on acting wickedly (v16-17).
What can we learn from this? God does want merely formal, ceremonial worship and offerings. He wants a people who are devoted, heart and soul, to Him, shown not only through their prayers and offerings but through the way they live. God wants people who not only give their prayers and worship but who also “seek justice, encourage the oppressed”, “[d]efend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow” (v17).
In other words, worship is not just the song you sing or the offering you bring. It’s how you live every day for God’s glory, how you treat God and people on a daily basis.
Isaiah 1:18-20 (NIV)
18 “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 as crimson, they shall be like wool.
On verses 18-20: Even after being grieved by the sins of His people, God still leans on the side of reconciliation. “Come now, let us reason together” (v18) is God saying, “Come on, let’s work this out.” With amazing patience and mercy God offers to forgive the people’s sins, to make their scarlet sins white as snow (v18).
How could God make the people’s sins white as snow? These verses are looking ahead to the day when God would make our reconciliation possible by sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross.
Jesus’ sacrifice was God making the most incredible peace offering to us. It’s as if God was saying to Judah: “You don’t need to do anything. I’ll fix it all. I’ll pick up the tab. And I’ll let you off free, because I love you.” That is the incredible grace and mercy of God toward us. God’s forgiveness is free, but it’s not cheap, for it was paid by the most precious blood of Jesus.
Isaiah 1:19-20 (NIV)
19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;
20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
On verses 19-20: God’s plan was always to bless His people. He knew that if they were willing and obedient to His commands, they would prosper and “eat the best from the land” (v19). He also knew that if they resisted and rebelled, they would suffer. The choice is still ours today. God gives us His commands for our protection and blessing. The question is whether or not we are willing to obey what He says.
Thank You God for showing incredible mercy. Though my sins were as scarlet, through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice You made them white as snow. I don’t need to do anything except receive what You have done for me. Such amazing grace I never deserved. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
