Chapter 1
Sometimes things go wrong in life. Over the years, I have met many people, including many believers, who when facing hard times, wonder if God is punishing them for some sin or bad decision they made in the past. Then we read this chapter in Isaiah. God, our Heavenly Father, is speaking to His children. Right from the start, He points out that they have knowingly ignored His voice.
That reminds me of my childhood. There was a time when I really hated school. I was known as the “ditch king” because I cut class so often. For some classes, I might have only gone three times in the whole semester. I would have skipped every day if I thought I could get away with it. If I didn’t have friends at school, I probably would have tried.
Eventually, my parents found out. They got my report card, which showed I had 87 absences in one class and only 3 in others. I was caught! Needless to say, the punishment was harsh. But I didn’t have to ask if I was being punished for something I did wrong — the reason was clear.
I think that, most of the time, if things aren’t going well for you, it’s wise to pause and honestly check yourself to see if you might have done something wrong that explains your situation. If you can identify something you did that caused the problem, then you have your answer. The solution is also clear in this chapter: turn away from those wrong ways and do what is right! Remember, God’s discipline comes from His love for us, not out of anger or desire to harm. He wants to guide us back to the right path. A key phrase in this chapter is verse 19, “If you are willing…”
But if you are going through a tough time, and after honestly looking at yourself with humility you can’t find a direct reason for it, then rest assured. You might be going through a trial, not because God is punishing you, but perhaps to make your faith stronger or to help encourage someone else who is struggling.
Whatever the reason, remember the path ahead is still clear. Stay focused on God — that’s always the best path to true happiness. Sometimes, we won’t fully understand why we face hardships, but trusting God’s goodness and timing can bring peace even in uncertainty.
1 The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah [his name means: Salvation is of the Lord] son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
A Rebellious Nation
2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I reared [grown] children and brought them up [elevated], but they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” [God wasn’t call Israel a dumb animal, rather even the dumb animal is smarter than Israel, for they at least knew their “owner.” Israel, and mankind struggle to listen and hear the Fathers voice.]
4 Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great [heavy, massive, abundant], a brood [literally: offspring] of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One [there are only two who are referenced as the “Holy One” in the Bible – God in the Old Testament, and Jesus in the New. So, “Holy One” is a reference to Jesus.] of Israel and turned their backs on him. [literally: backsliding]
5 Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted. 6 From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness–only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with olive oil. [This is where Israel’s disobedience and lack of submission brought them.]
7 Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers. 8 Daughter Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, like a city under siege. 9 Unless the LORD Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. [It was only by the mercy of God that Israel survived at all.]
10 Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; [speaking to Jerusalem] listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah! [God was making a point by calling them of cities they knew to be evil] 11 “The multitude of your sacrifices–what are they to me?” says the LORD. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. 12 When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? 13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations–I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. 14 Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, [It was the culture to open ones hands when prayer, a sign of humility and surrender] I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! [Instead of humility, God saw only a closed heart and blood on the opened hands.]
16 Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. 17 Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing [consent, yield, accept] and obedient [hear, listen, discern], you will eat the good things of the land; 20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
21 See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her–but now murderers! 22 Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water. 23 Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.
24 Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies. 25 I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. 26 I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.”
27 Zion will be delivered with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness. 28 But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the LORD will perish.
29 “You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen. 30 You will be like an oak with fading leaves, like a garden without water. 31 The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire.”
