July 9: Isaiah 1-4

July 9, Isaiah 1-4

We are about to dive into Isaiah, which is one of the Major Prophetical books of the Bible.  Wha is the major theme of Isaiah? Yahweh is Salvation. 

There is a series of oracles of judgment and salvation. Isaiah is a prophet being obedient to God. We don’t know much about him. We know that this book was written (at least in part) during the reign of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, & Hezekiah - Kings of Judah. 

Isaiah 1 Isaiah has a vision from God showing the sins and devastation of Judah and His complaint against them. God speaks to the people (and us) through Isaiah. God’s kids have rebelled against Him and they are ignorant about it. They have literally despised God. Judah is against God. Yet, God preserves His people, even thought they have become incredibly sinful..

God is done with the sacrifices and ordinances because their hearts are far from God, yet they are gipping through the motions. The idea of a sacrifice was to humbly come before God with their hearts in the right place, not just going through the motions. God doesn't even want their offerings when they are not for Him - He is actually not listening to their prayers. God is calling them to wash themselves clean and repent and be good to one another.  Like elsewhere in the Old Testament, if they are willing to be obedient they will be blessed, if not, not. They must chose if they are going to serve Him or not. Since they have become socially corrupt and whored after idols, they have become God’s enemies. IF they repent, they will be redeemed. The rebels will be brought down and the repentant will be taken care of. We cannot hide from God. We can submit to Him though and not have to hide!

Isaiah 2 Isaiah the Prophet continues with what God showed him about future events. Isaiah reveals that there is hope in God’s purpose for His people and this prophecy - this comes through Jesus Christ! There will be peace when Christ reigns and they will not have to fight battles anymore. We are called to live for the future hope of, for and in Jesus Christ.

God rejected His people because of their idolatrous ways and their focus on themselves and money. God humbled them, and we still see this going on today with many countries and cultures. Sin cannot be ignored! It must be dealt with, get it out in the open and be forgiven. God is fully against prideful people. Truth is, our human power is so weak - we really have no control over much and yet we live our lives that way. Turn from this and trust in the power of God. 

Isaiah 3 God’s judgment will include pulling all the leaders from Judah/Israel and letting the people sit in their crisis. The results will be devastating and disrespect will dominate. Know also, that man cannot fix you or your problems in that time or any other time. The arrogance of women will also be dealt with, as they are longing for mens protection. God will replace all the naturally beautiful things with tragedy - God will remove the finer things for His ultimate purpose.

Isaiah 4 Where is our hope? It should be in the Messiah - Jesus Christ. He is the one the Old Testament is always pointing to and Christ fulfilled all of the prophecies about himself! Why? Because God is God and we are not - that is Sovereignty and power, something we have neither of… Jesus gives the leadership that they/we desperately need. God will keep His people for those days and we will be under God’s protection. Praise God!

To sum it all up:

• God desires our obedience and our hearts to be for Him much more than our sacrifice 
• Where is your heart?

“The haughty looks of man shall be brought low,

    and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled,

and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.”

• As you can tell from reading these passages, Yahweh is fully against the prideful person - they lift themselves up and he will bring them down. It is as if you are telling God you don't need Him and then living that out. Let me know how that works out for you. 
• I would add as well, that now some people take pride in sin and have parades about it. This should not be. Not only are we to flee form sin and pride, but have nothing to do with it. There is no middle ground…
• My hope is in Jesus! Where is yours? If it is not in Jesus, and where is it? There's nothing else that can save you in this world.