Tag: Isaiah 1-4
Isaiah’s message to God’s people!
Scripture reading for July 17th: Isaiah 1-4
Jesus Christ said of Isaiah that he “saw My glory and spoke about it.” (John 12:41) Isaiah was a faithful prophet of the Lord during over 50 years of ministry under four different kings of Judah. His book is considered by some to be a miniature of the Bible as a whole. The first 39 chapters record Isaiah’s messages of judgment on the sins of a backslidden people. The last 27 chapters contain a message of hope and consolation to those God has disciplined.
The first chapter contains a pattern of preaching used by many of the prophets. Isaiah had a four-point sermon outline that goes like this: (A) Charges of sins, (B) Threats of pending judgment, (C) Call to return to God, and (D), Promises of healing and restoration.
The charges against Judah could apply to the church today! The people of Judah were raised and delivered by God himself, but did not know God. They had actually turned their backs on God and rebelled against their own Maker! (Isaiah 1:2-9) The results were sores and infection, a land under judgment and drought, and cities burned with fire! God likened them to Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities He had destroyed by fire because of their gross wickedness.
God was fed up and threatened judgment! He was sick of their hollow religious meetings and meaningless offerings. He hated their festivals and was burdened by their show with no heart-felt repentance and desire for God’s fellowship. He promised to hide his face from them and would not respond to their prayers. (Isaiah 1:10-15)
God asked them to turn from their sins. If they would seek justice and begin to encourage the oppressed and help the fatherless and widow, God would heal them. God was concerned with social justice and particularly with the needy and weak who were being exploited. (Isaiah 1:16-17) As red blood stains a white garment and was difficult to remove, God promised to blot out the stain of their sin and make them white as snow! (Isaiah 1:18-19)
The final section promised blessings and healing. He promised that if they were willing and obedient, they would eat the best of the land, but if they refused and rebelled they would be devoured by the sword. What a ‘difficult’ choice!
Let us reason together!
Scripture reading for July 16th: Isaiah 1-4
The book of Isaiah is a rich resource of prophesy and New Testament truth. Jesus Christ said of Isaiah that he “saw My glory and spoke about it.” (John 12:41) Jesus began His ministry quoting from Isaiah 61:1-2 (Luke 4:18-19). His book is considered by some to be a miniature of the Bible as a whole. The first 39 chapters record Isaiah’s messages of judgment. Like the New Testament, the last 27 chapters contain messages of hope!
In the first chapter Isaiah had a four-point sermon outline that went something like this: (A) Charges of sins, (B) Threats of coming judgment, (C) Call to repent, and (D), Promises of restoration if they repented.
Isaiah’s charges against Judah and warnings of judgment could apply to us in the American church today! The people of Judah were delivered from bondage by God himself, but they willfully forgot God. They had turned their backs on God and rebelled against their own Maker! (Isaiah 1:2-9) The consequences were physical afflictions, a land under a drought, and cities burned with fire through war! God likened them to Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities He had destroyed by fire because of their gross wickedness.
God was fed up with their hollow religious meetings and meaningless offerings. He hated their festivals and was burdened by their shows with no substance. He promised to hide his face from them and would not respond to their prayers. (Isaiah 1:10-15)
God called them to repent while there was still time. Their hands were full of blood and needed washing. God was concerned with the needy and weak who were being exploited. (Isaiah 1:16-17) He tried to reason with them about the stain of their sins. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow. . .” (Isaiah 1:18) This may be a strong warning that their sin, like leprosy, was quickly taking them towards death. Leprosy turns the skin white and it loses all feeling. Their king, Uzziah, had died of leprosy because of pride and rebellion. (2nd Chronicles 26:16-21)
The fourth point of God’s message promised that if they were willing and obedient, they would eat the best of the land, but if they refused and rebelled against His advice they would be devoured by the sword. The choice we make determines the consequences and future reward or judgment! If we listen closely, God’s reasoning is easy to follow!
Crimson Stains in the Holy Nation
Scripture reading for July 17th: Isaiah 1-4
Isaiah is one of the major prophets of the Old Testament and his writing contains a rich treasure of revelation concerning God’s plans to redeem His people and send the Messiah. He spoke and wrote these words from about 722 BC to 681 BC. As we begin this book, it would be helpful to take a moment to ask the Lord for His guidance in understanding and applying it to our lives as 21st century followers of Christ.
The first vision of Isaiah recorded in today’s readings concerned Judah and Jerusalem. “Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him.” (Isaiah 1:4) People reap what they sow and God does nothing without warning His people by the prophets. (Amos 3:7) God sent Isaiah various visions to warn these backslidden people of the coming wrath. He told them of the desolate land and burned cities that would result. (Isaiah 1:7-9) He warned them that only God’s mercy could save them from becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah!
These people attended to the temple and sacrifices, but God was not honored or pleased! They offered prayers and sacrifices, but did evil in His sight. They oppressed the widow and orphan and shed innocent blood. Religion without repentance is hypocrisy and only wearies the Lord. (Isaiah 1:11-15) God’s warning was clear and concise!
“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. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:18-20)
God’s people needed to listen and use their heads. God offered cleansing from these deep stains of sin if they would be humble and willing to change. If they refused and rebelled, they would be devoured by the sword. God is offering to reason with people today as well. Many need to heed His offer of grace through Jesus Christ. The way is narrow that leads to life and blessing but broad that leads to destruction. Let those crimson stains be made white as snow!
“Let us reason together.”
Scripture reading for July 17th: Isaiah 1-4
The book of Isaiah is a rich resource of prophesy and New Testament truth. Jesus Christ said of Isaiah that he “saw my glory and spoke about it.” (John 12:41) Jesus quoted from Isaiah a number of times and began His ministry quoting from Isaiah 61:1-2 as recorded in Luke 4:18-19. Isaiah was a faithful prophet of the Lord during over 50 years of ministry under four different kings of Judah. His book is considered by some to be a miniature of the Bible as a whole. The first 39 chapters record Isaiah’s messages of judgment on the sins of a backslidden and lost people. The last 27 chapters contain a message of hope and consolation to those God has disciplined. It is said that Isaiah was sawn asunder by Manasseh, the wicked son of good king Hezekiah. As we study this amazing book of prophesy, ask the Lord to show you His glory as well!
The first chapter contain a pattern of preaching that many of the prophets used and one that Isaiah used repeatedly as well. He had a four-point sermon outline that goes something like this: (A) Charges of accusation of sins, (B) Threats of coming judgment, (C) Call to repent and return to God, and (D), Promises of healing and restoration if they repented.
The charges against Judah sound familiar with other prophets and in the church today! The people of Judah were raised and delivered by God himself, but willfully did not know God. They were sinful people who had actually turned their backs on God and rebelled against their own Maker! (Isaiah 1:2-9) The results were sores and infection, a land under judgment and drought, and cities burned with fire! God likened them to Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities He had destroyed by fire because of their gross wickedness.
God was fed up and threatened judgment! He was sick of their hollow religious meetings and meaningless offerings. He hated their festivals and was burdened by their show with no substance. He promised to hide his face from them and would not respond to their prayers. (Isaiah 1:10-15)
God asked them to turn from their sins while there was still time. Their hands were full of blood and needed washing. They needed to turn from evil and learn to do right. They should seek justice and righteousness and begin to encourage the oppressed and help the fatherless and widow. God was concerned with social justice and particularly with the needy and weak who were being exploited. (Isaiah 1:16-17) He tried to reason with them about the stain of their sins. As red blood stains a white garment and is difficult to remove, God promised to blot out the stain of their sin and make them white as snow or white like a clean wool garment! (Isaiah 1:18-19)
The final section promises more blessings and healing. He promised that if they were willing and obedient, they would eat the best of the land, but if they refused and rebelled against His advice they would be devoured by the sword. What a deal! God will get revenge on the wicked rebels and afterward He will restore the godly judges and counselors. He will have mercy on those who are penitent but will punish those who are evil!