Isaiah 1:21-31 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Isaiah 1:21-31. Let’s go!
Isaiah 1:21-23 (NIV)
21 See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her– but now murderers!
22 Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water.
23 Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.
On verses 21-23: These verses describe two transformations that the people of Judah would go through. The first is a negative transformation as a result of sin (v21-23): Jerusalem was once “the faithful city (v21) but has become a whore. Her riches are now depleted and diluted (v22). Once they had the almighty, just and compassionate God as their best friend, ruler and protector, but now, having forsaken Him, they have heartless rebels for rulers and evil thieves for companions (v23).
That’s what happens when we allow sin to rule our lives. We exchange the glory of God’s presence, protection and companionship for something much, much less. Giving into sin is the biggest ripoff.
Isaiah 1:24-31 (NIV)
24 Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will get relief from my foes and avenge myself on my enemies.
25 I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.
26 I will restore your judges as in days of old, your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.”
27 Zion will be redeemed with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness.
28 But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the LORD will perish.
29 “You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen.
30 You will be like an oak with fading leaves, like a garden without water.
31 The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire.”
On verses 24-31: The second transformation that Judah will go through, God says, is a positive transformation as a result of God’s grace and power (v24-27). However, this positive transformation would not be for everyone. Some would persist in rebelling against God and remain unchanged (v28-31) while others would humble themselves before God and experience God’s redeeming power in their lives (v25-27).
What can we learn from this? Our fall from God is inevitable because we are all sinners. Our redemption back to Him is possible, but whether or not we experience it depends on how willing we are to cooperate with God. Rebels and sinners (v28), those who keep forsaking the Lord will perish (v28) and be ashamed (v29), while those who humble themselves before God – the “penitent ones” (v27) – will be redeemed.
God, sin ripped me off and caused a transformation in me that I’m not proud of. But thank You that those who humble themselves before You will experience Your grace and Your ability to transform us for good. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
