Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Isaiah+001

ISAIAH

INTRODUCTION

The prophet Isaiah addressed the kingdom of Judah for forty years, beginning in the year that King Uzziah died (around 740 BC) and continuing at least to the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem in 701 BC. As with all the prophets, Isaiah based his message on the deep covenant bond between God and his people Israel. Prophets typically delivered their messages by composing oracles—poetic speeches they recited in public. Unlike some other prophets, Isaiah had personal access to the kings of his day. He was able to bring godly counsel to kings Ahaz and Hezekiah when the powerful Assyrian Empire threatened the life of the nation. Isaiah maintains an international perspective throughout his book, revealing that Israel’s life is bound up with the affairs of the broader world.

Isaiah urges the people to care for the poor and needy, commit to follow God’s ways, and pursue social and economic justice. In typical prophetic pattern, he speaks of coming judgment because of Israel’s failure, but also of promised restoration, and moving from Israel to the wider world. God’s correction is in the service of renewal. Isaiah’s later oracles introduce the complex figure of the servant, whose personal sacrifice brings healing. These “servant songs” fit into the bigger picture of Israel’s return from exile, the Lord’s return to his people, and the nations turning to God. New Testament writers will turn to Isaiah often to explain how Israel’s ancient commission to bring blessing to the world was fulfilled.

www.bible.com/zh-TW/bible/111/ISA.INTRO1.NIV

The First Book of Isaiah — Book of Judgment

Chapter 1 (ESV)

¹⁰ Hear the word of the Lord,
you rulers of Sodom!
Give ear to the teaching of our God,
you people of Gomorrah!
¹¹ “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?
says the Lord;
I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
and the fat of well-fed beasts;
I do not delight in the blood of bulls,
or of lambs, or of goats.

¹² “When you come to appear before me,
who has required of you
this trampling of my courts?
¹³ Bring no more vain offerings;
incense is an abomination to me.
New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—
I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.
¹⁴ Your new moons and your appointed feasts
my soul hates;
they have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.
¹⁵ When you spread out your hands,
I will hide my eyes from you;
even though you make many prayers,
I will not listen;
your hands are full of blood.
¹⁶ Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
¹⁷  learn to do good;
seek justice,
correct oppression;
bring justice to the fatherless,
plead the widow’s cause.

REFLECTION:

1. Isaiah described a religious people whose ritual seems to be according to the law. These people went up to the temple dutifully for the required festivals; they offered sacrifices correctly, made long and impressive prayers.  But God called all these meaningless.  They seem to believe that following rituals will guarantee God’s blessings.  But God totally rejected it.
2. The people were, instead, summoned to obedience, focusing particularly on justice toward the oppressed, widows, and orphans, people who are vulnerable and without social protection.
3. The point is that a real and vital faith is not that we appear and do right, but that our relationship with God has produced righteousness.
4. Is your involvement in church activities, or prayer has become empty ritual, or do you serve the Lord from a heart of love and devotion?

PRAYER:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what He wants to tell you.  Then write down any thought and/or prayer in your spiritual journal.

HYMN:

Abide In Me – youtu.be/7BjwdBmb37E