Isaiah 1 – 4 and More Words To Live By

Isaiah 1 – 4

As I’m sure you recall, Uzziah (Judah) became king at age sixteen after his father Amaziah (Judah) was assassinated. In II Chronicles 26:22 we learn: “The rest of the events of Uzziah’s reign, from beginning to end, are recorded by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.” Today, we begin reading the book of Isaiah, one of the “major” prophets.

The book of Isaiah, according to the first chapter, contains the “visions that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. He saw these visions during the years when Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah.”

In the first chapter, Isaiah delivers a message from the Lord to his rebellious children. He speaks of their sin, their guilt, the evil that they do and how they have turned their backs on “the Holy One of Israel.” The country is in ruins and if it had not been for the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, they would have been wiped out loike Sodom and Gomorrah. The Lord is sick of their offerings and meaningless gifts. He will not listen to their prayers because their hands are covered with the blood of the innocent.

He pleads with them to:

“Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows.”

He promises that if they will do that:

Though your sins are as scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

Our wonderful God is always eager for his people to repent and do what is right, but he also makes it clear that a failure to do this will result in destruction.

It is so encouraging that Isaiah shared his vision with us, the one in chapter two where he talks of the last days, where the mountain of the Lord’s house will be highest of all. He speaks of people from all over the world coming there to worship where the Lord will teach us his ways. There will be no study of war anymore. Before that though, he speaks of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem if they continue in their sin.

We are also advised not to put our trust in mere humans. Too often, I think we put our trust in a political solution, iin a politician, in an individual instead of relying on the Lord.

Yes, he speaks of destruction and death, but he also speaks of those who survive the destruction of Jerusalem and how the Lord will wash the filth from beautiful Zion and cleanse Jerusalem of its bloodstains with the hot breath of fiery judgment.

When I look at our great nation and see the depths to which it has fallen, it’s easy to lose hope, but our God is an awesome God and can cleanse and rebuild this nation so that we can once again be that shining city on a hill. The promise in II Chronicles 7:14 is still true:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

Tomorrow, we’ll be reading Isaiah 5 – 8.

 

More Words To Live By

1. It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.

2. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.

3. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.

4. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.

5. Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator.

6. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear very bright ... until they speak.

7. Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.

8. Age is a very high price to pay for maturity.

9. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

10. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.

11. No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.

12. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.

Until next time…