Nov. 7, 2019
Isaiah-Chapter 1
LET IT GLOW
If God gave us a vision of what kind of effect our life has on people, would we be ashamed or glad hearted? I know there were times that I was not the kind person I should have been. My words came across as judgmental and harsh, not helping others. That would not be a good thing to watch.
The book of Isaiah is divided into two part-the first half covers chapters 1-39 and the second half covers 27 chapters of 40-66, which is similar to the Old and New Testaments. In the first part, Isaiah calls for Judah, Israel, and surrounding pagan nations to repent of their sins. During the last part, there is hope as the promise of the Messiah unfolds.
Historically, we find that as king of the Southern kingdom called Judah, Uzziah (also called Azariah) reigned 52 years (790-739 BC). We learned about him in 2 Kings 15. He probably served his first 23 years as a co-regent with his father.
Judah has become prosperous during Uzziah's reign. They developed into a strong commercial and military state with a port for commerce on the Red Sea and the construction of walls, towers, and fortifications. Yet, this period was one of decline of spiritual purity. (MacArthur)
Since God loved His people in Judah, He forewarned them of a coming judgment if they did not repent of their sins. The first chapter opens with Isaiah having a vision of what was happening. Who was his vision concerning? It is aimed at Judah and Jerusalem. What is a vision?
A vision is a sight (mentally); a dream, revelation or oracle, as it is defined in Hebrew, the language of the Old Testament.
This first vision that God gave to Isaiah covers the first twelve chapters. It tells us of Judah's social sins and their political entanglements. They failed to give God the love and obedience He deserved. Even though King Uzziah had Judah worshiping God, he failed to get rid of the idol worship in the high places. In the Ten Commandments, God told His people to have no other gods before Him. God had intended for Israel to be a witness of His blessings to the pagan nations, but they failed by rebelling, so God was going to judge them and bring them back by allowing Babylon to take the captive.
Don't you think this would have been a difficult message for Isaiah to write down and proclaim?
If God had a vision for us, would it be one of judgment or blessing?
LET IT GROW
In verse 4, God calls Israel, specifically Judah, a sinful nation.
Sinful is a participial form of the verb chata' meaning to miss the mark or to offend by sinful actions.
Judah had missed the mark, goal, that God had for Judah:
- Their iniquity was so great that it was pictured as a wagon laden with a heavy load.
- They were the seed of evildoers, whose parents were unspiritual and likely to continue in the same trend.
- They were children of corrupters by corrupting the way of God and following after their own way.
- They provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger. This is the name of God used 12 times in the first half of the book and 14 times in the last half. (Liberty Bible Commentary)
Friends, don't we act like Judah at times? We miss the mark in our life by sinning against God's rules. Like an arrow not hitting the bull's eye target, we miss the mark. However, God is forgiving if we only repent, admitting our failings and disobedience.
The Holy One of Israel waits for us. Is there a hidden sin that we need to confess? Are we going our own way instead of God's way? Are our prayers not getting answered?
All ye that labor and are heavy laden, come to Jesus.
LET IT GO
Forgive me Jesus for going my own judgmental way, not Your loving way.
Help me begin again with words of wisdom and kindness.
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