Outline: (BKC)
I. The Retribution of God (chaps. 1–39)
A. The Lord’s indictment of the nation (chaps. 1–6)
1. The heading for the book (1:1)
2. The Lord’s lawsuit against the nation (1:2–31)
3. An affirmation of restoration (2:1–5)
4. The present condition and future consequences (2:6–4:1)
5. The holy survivors (4:2–6)
6. The worthless vineyard (5:1–7)
7. An indictment on sin (5:8–30)
8. Isaiah’s commission (chap. 6)
In beautiful and varied language Isaiah made the point that sin must be rooted out of the nation and the world. Eventually, in the Millennium, righteousness will be enforced and the nation will dwell in prosperity and peace because of her renewed relationship with the Lord.
Ch 1 Ob and In:
1. 1st set of commands:
Israel as the 3rd person: listen, pay attention v.2 (NET- The personified heavens and earth are summoned to God’s courtroom as witnesses against God’s covenant people. Long before this Moses warned the people that the heavens and earth would be watching their actions),
Israel as the 2nd person: listen, pay attention v.10 (NET- Building on the simile of v. 9, the prophet sarcastically addresses the leaders and people of Jerusalem as if they were leaders and residents of ancient Sodom and Gomorrah. The sarcasm is appropriate, for if the judgment is comparable to Sodom’s, that must mean that the sin which prompted the judgment is comparable as well).
Summary and reflection: When part of the judgment was seen at that time (the exile of the N. Kingdom), Isaiah warned people that it was time to think the reason for their suffering. Listen...pay attention is not just hearing things in general, but a time for reflection. Do I miss those important moment?
2. Question to Jews who brought sacrifice to God, but had never considered how He feels:
I have had my fill...I do not want v.11, do you actually think I want this v.12,
I consider your incense detestable v.13 (NET-Notice some of the other practices that Yahweh regards as “detestable”: homosexuality (Lev 18:22–30; 20:13), idolatry (Deut 7:25; 13:15), human sacrifice (Deut 12:31), eating ritually unclean animals (Deut 14:3–8), sacrificing defective animals (Deut 17:1), engaging in occult activities (Deut 18:9–14), and practicing ritual prostitution (1 Kgs 14:23)),
I cannot tolerate sin-stained celebrations v.13, I hate your...festivals...and assemblies; they are a burden that I am tired of carrying v.14,
when you...in prayer, I look the other way v.15, I do not listen.
Summary and reflection: Things that we do to "pacify" God will not work. He looks beyond the action. Plus, we cannot give things to God. We can only obey Him and do things as He prescribed with both the action and the hearts. Do I ask what God want me to do in my heart? Do I only pacify God with external, ritual, Sunday church "things?"
3. 2nd set of commands:
Wash, cleanse, remove...sinful deeds, stop sinning v.16,
learn...what is right, promote justice, give the oppressed reason to celebrate, take up...orphan, defend the widow v.17,
Come...(to the LORD)...become white like snow...become white like wool...a willing attitude and obey v.18-19a
Summary and reflection: God is gracious. Even in the time of people's sin, He gave us a way back to Him (until the 2nd coming). How can we become white like snow and wool? Only when forgiven is given by God through Jesus. Do I believe in the grace of God? Do I offer other people grace?
4. Hope of blessings among the judgment passage
(BKC) In this section on judgment Isaiah also emphasized blessing which will come to the nation because of her covenantal relationship with the Lord. For example, in the Lord’s indictment of Judah (chaps. 1–6) 1:24–31 refers to the nation’s restoration...
Reflection: God gave the hope of blessings in the midst of judgment. Reason #1: Perhaps, it was to encourage the sinners to return and then they could enjoy the blessings. God is gracious. Even to sinner, He still cares and encourages them to repent.
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