Isaiah 1

Isaiah 1-6 is a collection of messages.  Ch. 1 lays out the charge against Judah and Jerusalem.  Ch. 2-4 begins and ends with a description of Jerusalem in the Messianic Kingdom; but in the middle it speaks of her misery leading to that time.  Ch. 5 is a series of woes pronounced on God’s vineyard (Israel).  And Ch. 6 contains the amazing vision of Isaiah’s call to ministry.

Let us summarize Isaiah 1 and then consider our response to the message.

·        1:1 gives the historical setting of Isaiah’s life.  Judah ascended in power and prosperity during the time of Uzziah (2 Chr. 26; cf. v22) which spilled over into the reign of Jotham (2 Chr. 27).  Under Ahaz (2 Chr. 28) evil was unrestrained and Judah suffered at the hands of Syria and Judah.  2 Chr. 28:22 has a very interesting description: Now in the time of his distress King Ahaz became increasingly unfaithful to the LORD.  This is that King Ahaz.  The years of Hezekiah (2 Chr. 29-32) would have been much more enjoyable to Isaiah (32:20) until the end of Hezekiah’s life (cf. 2 Kings 20:12-19).

·        1:2-9: This sermon begins pointedly … Israel is dumber than an ox or donkey because she does not know her Master, the LORD.  Israel is desolate; yet they ask for more trouble by not responding to the LORD.  They are stubbornly disobedient like Sodom and Gomorrah and would be annihilated like those cities if God did not provide a remnant.

·        1:10-20: At the core of Judah’s rebellion is her continual coming to worship while cherishing evil in her heart.  Again, the words are strong: I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of red cattle.  I do not delight in the blood of bulls or of lambs or goats.  And again, I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.  God pleads with His people to wash yourselves.  In 1:18 God calls them (and us) to reason; in other words this makes perfect sense that His anger is aroused by their hypocrisy while His mercy is extended to those who will turn to Him.  Scarlet and crimson, two reddish hues, speak of the brilliant stain of Israel’s sin; but if they will turn to God the stain will be completely removed, made white like snow and wool.

·        1:21-31: In this section Isaiah turns to the capital city itself, Jerusalem.  The iniquity has been found in the highest places of government.  Again God promises to avenge Himself but also offers hope to those who will return to Him.  Zion shall be redeemed; but those who trust in false gods (associated with worship under the mighty terebinth trees) will find their gods to give them no standing before the fire of His judgment.

This opening salvo has something significant to say to us, does it not?  What about our worship, for example?  Is it something God is tired of receiving?  And what about our obstinate disobedience?  Are we dumber than the ox or donkey?  Do we see the reasonableness of the Creator’s call to us to be cleansed?