Jesus throughout the Scriptures: Pre-exilic Prophets 2 (1)
Pray Psalm 115.1-3.
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.
Why should the Gentiles say,
“So where is their God?”
But our God is in heaven;
He does whatever He pleases.
Sing Psalm 115.1-3.
(Plainfield: Nothing But the Blood of Jesus)
Not to us, O God, not us, but unto Your Name give glory!
For Your love and faithfulness, ever to Your Name be glory!
Why should the nations cry, “Where is their God on high?”
You rule us, LORD, on high: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Read Isaiah 1.1-31; meditate on verses 24-31.
Preparation
1. What was the state of religion in Isaiah’s day?
2. What did God promise to do for His people?
Meditation
God had a case against His people, and Isaiah was His “lawyer” to present the case and call for justice. And what sins they have committed (v. 4): rebellion (v. 2), evildoing and corruption (v. 4), iniquity of all kinds (v. 13). The effect of all this is that the land has come to ruin (vv. 7-9).
And yet, the “religious life” of the people goes on as if nothing was wrong (vv. 11-15). The rulers and people considered that, as long as they’re going through the motions of being the people of God, everything would be just fine. But God found their worship to be “an abomination” (v. 13). The people should be able to see, from the abundant evidence of decay and compromise all around them that they were “sick” spiritually (v. 5) and in need of renewal. God sent Isaiah to call the people to repent of their sins, turn from their wicked and compromised ways, take up works of mercy and compassion, and present themselves before Him and His Word (vv. 16-20). And He warned them that, “if you refuse and rebel,” terrible judgment will ensue.
In the final section of chapter 1 (vv. 21-31) we see through the eyes of the LORD into the future. The city of the LORD was so compromised that it would not repent; therefore, He would remove it and “purge” it of all its sins (v. 25). Having purged His people of their sins, He promised to restore them to Himself and to faithfulness. He Himself would redeem them “with justice” and “righteousness” (vv. 26, 27). But before that occurred, terrible judgment must fall on the “transgressors” and “sinners” to whom God sent His prophet with this Word of judgment (vv. 28-31).
Such words set the stage for how God would accomplish this judgment and redemption in the long run—through the “Branch” and “Servant” Who was to come.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162.
“Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; give ear to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah: ‘To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?’ says the LORD” (Is. 1.10, 11).
As we recall from the earliest days, things had not gone well for Sodom and Gomorrah.
They had a godlessness that surpassed God’s tolerance: “Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities…” (Gen. 19.24, 25).
And here they are again! Displeasing God: only this time with godliness pasted all over themselves.
“I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting…your [religious holidays] My soul hates; they are a trouble to Me, I wameary of bearing them” (Is. 1.13, 14).
The Branch, the Servant, Jesus, the fulfillment of all the prophecies, when sending His disciples out to “go to the lost sheep of Israel”, compared those who would not hear them, to those in Sodom and Gomorrah:
“Whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” (Matt. 10.6, 14, 15).
On another occasion Jesus began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent— “For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you” (Matt. 11.20, 23, 24).
“So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His Name Immanuel,’ which is translated, “God with us”” (Matt. 1.22, 23; Is. 7.14).
Jesus spent all of His ministry years proving in every way possible that He was the Promised One, God With Us. And frankly, it does not go well for those who ignore or disbelieve the truth of it. It also does not go well for those who paste on “churchy” demeanors but do not follow Him to the full.
Through the blood of Jesus,
His death and resurrection,
we have work to do,
first on ourselves,
and then for others:
“Wash yourselves,
make yourselves clean;
put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.
Cease to do evil,
learn to do good;
seek justice,
rebuke the oppressor;
defend the fatherless,
plead for the widow” (Is. 1.16, 17).
God reminds us, Isaiah reminds us, and Jesus reminds us that the continual judgment against Sodom and Gomorrah is real—both for those outside the faith and those within it. It is not a judgment we want to fall on us.
We have been redeemed for better things.
Reflection
1. Does God bring judgment against His people today (cf. Heb. 12.3-11)? Why? How would you know if you had come under the judgment of God?
2. What are the “better things” for which Jesus has redeemed us?
3. The people of Jerusalem in Isaiah’s day had fallen into an empty form of worship which God despised. How can we keep that from happening to us?
Sin is the worst captivity, the worst slavery. The redemption of the spiritual Zion, by the righteousness and death of Christ, and by his powerful grace, most fully accord with what is here meant. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Isaiah 1.21-31
Pray Psalm 115.9-18.
Thank God for His many blessings. Pray that He will increase your faith, your fruitfulness, and your witness for Jesus.
Sing Psalm 115.9-18.
(Prainfield: Nothing But the Blood of Jesus)
All who trust in Jesus yield—ever to His Name be glory—
find in Him their help and shield: Ever to Your Name be glory!
O Israel, trust the LORD! He helps us evermore!
Fear Him, obey His Word: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Blessings from our gracious LORD —ever to Your Name be glory—
will attend us evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless all who fear You, LORD, all who obey Your Word,
all who Your Name adore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Grant us, Savior, great increase—ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless us with eternal peace: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Heaven and earth are Yours; let every soul adore
and bless You evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
