The book of Isaiah was written during a tumultuous time in the ancient near east. The Assyrian Empire was the most powerful and aggressive nation in the area and they terrorized and conquered smaller kingdoms around them. Yet beginning in 782BC three kings ruled the Assyrians who had less aggressive ruling styles. The split kingdoms of Israel and Judah were given a respite of about 40 years of peace, which brought a great deal of financial success and comfort to the people. As the people became more wealthy and comfortable, they turned away from God and began worshipping wealth and pagan near eastern idols. Isaiah challenged the people of Judah to turn away from their idolatry, see the sovereignty of God and turn back to authentic worship. Unfortunately, his warning fell on mostly deaf ears. Here in the United States we are in a similar situation. We have experienced almost a hundred years of continental peace, prosperity and comfort...we as a nation have far more interest in wealth and success than we do on worshipping God. Hopefully the warnings of Isaiah will not fall on deaf ears when Christians read this book today.
1:11-13 - God wants nothing to do with religious ceremonies and sacrifices offered out of selfishness. People would give their sacrifices for show, or offer them up in an attempt to magically get God to do what they wanted Him to do. God wants nothing but authentic worship. Christians today must remember that church services, serving opportunities, worship events are not items to be checked off a list to keep God happy. Authentic worship is approaching the throne of God with humility, no matter what you are doing, and offering yourself to Him.
1:16-17 - Isaiah tells the people what they need to do to turn things around...to end their corrupt worship practices. Don't pretend like everything is fine with your heart and life and put on a show for other people to see...be real and raw...confess your sins before God and man...repent...clean out your insides before you approach God. You know what kind of sacrifices really matter to God? Make sacrifices of your good deeds...bring justice to the world in any way that you can. The sacrifice that God cares about is you offering yourself to Him every day as a living sacrifice.
1:23 - This is a recurring theme that we will see throughout the book of Isaiah. We cannot truly call ourselves the people of God if we fail to see and meet the needs of those around us.
2:2-3 - Confirmation on what you hopefully already know - God has always been a missionary God...His plan has always been for all the people of the world to be drawn to Him. And He draws people into His kingdom through His priest nation, which thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ now includes all those who have faith in the Savior. Never forget that you are part of a priest nation and that we want to live our lives in such a way that people are drawn to God.
2:4 - I love this future prophesy and hope I can see it one day in my lifespan (Though this one may have to wait until after God's final judgment, because humans are so dang flawed and selfish) - where the weapons of war are destroyed and used to create tools with which to build, create and grow...where people actually forget how to make war. That is a beautiful future picture!
2:20 - When the people begin to gather wealth and live comfortable lives, they reject God. They say to themselves, "Who needs God, I'm doing alright on my own." Absurdly, what they begin to do is worship things that human beings have created (From materials spoken into existence by God oddly enough). It is insane! It is not until God allows them to experience trouble and hardship that they begin to see the meaninglessness of the things they are worshipping. I wonder if there is anything in that passage for Americans to learn from...naw, couldn't be - this scripture is so old and outdated...oh, wait...
3:10-11 - God's math has always been pretty simple. You reap what you sow. When people choose to live out the righteousness of God...choose to try to reflect the characteristics of God in this world, they will be fruitful (Not necessarily rich or successful by the standards of the world, but fruitful). Those who sow selfishness, pride, destruction, greed...they will get what they deserve in the end - often times in this world, but definitely in the end.
3:24-26 - Here the nation of Judah is described as an arrogant, rich woman (Though there were probably women walking around Judah like this, that this passage would also directly apply to). The woman cares only for outer beauty and outward appearance. She likes to flaunt her wealth and status to those around her. The nation of Judah had begun to worship wealth and proudly flaunted themselves before the world, but they were rotten to the core. Christians must be careful not to allow this twisted love of status, worth, wealth, success to creep into our lives and churches as it has crept into our nation.
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