This section of Isaiah emphasizes God’s coming judgment on His people. In Isaiah 1, Isaiah records a vision from God which revealed the future events of Judah and Jerusalem. Isaiah listed Judah’s sins against God. God created the people of Israel, but they didn’t accept Him as their Lord. They broke His laws, resisted His loving correction, and failed to live right. They had become wicked and rebelled against Him. He asked them why they continued to rebel and not give up their wickedness. He told them to stop making worthless burnt offerings to God because He no longer needed them. He said their hands were full of blood and He had no reason to hear their prayers. They should change their life and stop living a life of sin.
He told them there would be a day of redemption for Jerusalem, but only if they sought forgiveness and changed their ways. This was the only way to true righteousness and to make the city and people a great nation once again.
Isaiah listed eight admonitions to these rebellious people – wash your hands that are full of blood, take your evil deeds out of my sight, stop doing wrong, learn to do right, seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless, plead for the widow (Isaiah 1:16-17).
Because of their sin, God would purify them in judgment in the form of nations oppressing and conquering them. He would turn His hand against them. Disaster would strike and bring utter chaos. (Isaiah 1:24-25; 5; 7:18-25; 39:5-7). God still loved them, which is evident in Isaiah 1:18-20. If they would repent and be obedient, He would forgive them. He will do the same for us.
Have you experienced God’s purifying discipline?
We see all kinds of destruction these days - tornados, earthquakes, floods, pandemics, wars, and the list goes on. Why do you think these things are happening? I think it’s because we are a rebellious people just like in the times of Isaiah and God is purifying us. God still loves us, but He wants us to repent and be obedient. His forgiveness is waiting. He wants us to stop doing evil and do what is right. If you think the catastrophes are bad now, just wait. It will get much worse as the end draws near.
In Isaiah 12 Isaiah felt the Lord was angry with him, but he decided to praise Him anyway. It’s wonderful when the anger of God is turned away. His anger is turned away because of what Jesus did on the cross. This chapter is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving for redemption and salvation by Christ that we see in the preceding chapter of prophecy. He praises the greatness of God. He gives thanks and has joy of hope for the future.
Points of Isaiah’s song of praise:
Isaiah mentions the sins of neighboring nations in a series of poems in Isaiah 13-24. God will bring judgment against Babylon, Assyria, the Philistines, and against Moab. Israel’s neighbors had great influence on them as do our neighbors have influence on us. He will bring judgment on their sinful neighbors and on our sinful neighbors as well.
Our friends and neighbors influence us whether we are aware of it or not and sometimes in a bad way. Christians have many enemies. The biggest is the world itself – it’s value-system dominates society and is contrary to the ways of God. The world is the man-centered way of life which ignores God and operates by selfish principles and lives by ungodly standards. It’s principles are force, greed, pride, selfishness, ambition, materialism, and pleasure. We are bombarded daily with lust and selfish desires. The world influences us all. It would like to dominate our personalities and mold our thoughts.
Isaiah gives Israel a message of hope in the coming of the promised Messiah, King Jesus.
His promise of the Messiah was fulfilled. We are fortunate to live now and know this fact. Now we have the hope that we will live forever because Jesus lives. God established and secured His hope for you when He raised Jesus from death.
God’s promises through Isaiah concerning His coming kingdom:
These promises gave Judah hope as they faced God’s judgment because their punishments were only temporary. They knew that God still loved them and would bring them to Him once again. This gives us hope, too. When Jesus returns, we will reign with Him forever. There will be no more tears, pain or hardships only happiness and joy. When life is unexpectedly hard and you need hope, go to God’s Word and to God in prayer. He knows your heart and He is faithful.
Principle: God offers hope as judgment draws near.
We first hear of Satan, the serpent in the book of Genesis when he was in the garden. During Isiah’s time Satan was already a fallen angel but Genesis doesn’t explain how he fell. In Isaiah 14:12-15 we read about him before his fall. He is called morning star, full of pride, and cast out of heaven. In Ezekiel 28 he is called a guardian cherub full of wisdom and beauty. When Satan was cast out, a third of the angels followed him and were cast out with him. The book of Revelation calls him a great dragon and his angels are called stars and demons.
God is truth. Satan is a liar. Every lie in your head or lies you are fed from this world originates with Satan. Jesus said Satan is a murderer and doesn’t stand in truth because there is no truth in him. He is the father of lies (John 8). Satan is the god of this world and he is blinding unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4). He seeks to deceive us all. He will end in the lake of fire and so will those who follow him (Revelations 20:10). Satan hates you, but God loves you (John 10:10).
Are you being deceived?
Principle: God is Truth.
Isaiah 29:13 tells us - don’t try to honor God with your lips, if your heart is far from Him. Jesus calls those people hypocrites. The Pharisees and scribes were hypocrites who created man-made rituals and traditions that they expected everyone to keep. They followed these rules and looked righteous on the outside while on the inside their hearts were far from God.
Principle: God only honors worship that comes from the heart.
He goes on to say that God will come with a vengeance and judgment against the Nations because of their rebellion. He says for God’s people are to be strong and not fear, because He will come to save them. They will enter Zion with singing and everlasting joy will crown their heads. There will be no more sorrow and sighing will flee away. (Isaiah 27-35)
This week we see many attributes of God.
I’m sure you can think of more of God’s attributes.
Next time we will continue our study of Kingdom Divided in Isaiah. Hope to see you here. – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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