Old Testament prophets most often begin their messages with a critique or criticism of the people/society to whom they are sent or the society they are living within. From a reading of Isaiah 1:2-17, we begin to get a real clear image of the spiritual and moral state of Jerusalem and Judah in the eighth century B.C. that surrounds Isaiah.
The Wickedness of Judah is on display in the first chapter of Isaiah and the Lord is well aware of their sins and transgressions. Right from the outset in verse 2 we have some pretty damning evidences that God is not happy with Israel.
(A) Introduction
(v. 2) "Children have I reared and brought up but they have rebelled against me.” They had been taught and raised in the Law by God, but rebelled
(v. 3) “…but Israel does not know, my people do not understand." Spiritually they are blind
(v. 4) sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity...children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged.
(B) Here we really get to the heart of the matter. Israel has turned its back on God and walked the other way (estranged). Not only have they estranged themselves from God, it appears to be active disdain for Him.
(v. 5) “Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel?
(v. 6) “The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and raw wounds; they are not pressed out or bound up or softened with oil.
(C) A pronouncement of Israel’s condition as though they are being diagnosed in a severe state of trauma in a near death situation.
(v. 7-9) “Your country lies desolate”,” cities are burned”,”foreigners devour your land…desolate, overthrown by foreigners.”,”besieged city”.
(D) The descriptions of punishment for Israel’s disobedience is pronounced.
(v. 10 & 11) God’s stamp of authority through His prophet. Burnt carcasses are not going to be satisfactory atonement for what Israel has done. It is clear Israel is now only going through the motions. “Vain offerings” done with repetition of ritualistic practices with absolutely no heart intent behind the offerings to the Lord. God is clearly going to pour out His wrath.
(v.14) Your …”appointed feasts” my soul hates…The feast of first fruits is mentioned in this verse
It has gotten so bad that God will not even allow them/accept raised hands in worship to Him because He will “hide my eyes” from them. When they pray He “will not listen” because their “hands are full of blood”. God knows that nothing they do is done with integrity it is done with selfish motive. They are abusing God’s grace and mercy by this point. One final exhortation to do good and be righteous is mad in the verse 16 and 17 but with Israel’s track record of being a stiff-necked people and their pattern of apostasy the overriding impression is they are in big trouble. They are too corrupt, backslidden and apostate to even realize they are seriously messed up. Like many today they are probably trying to justify their goodness and how they are deserving of accolades and back slaps for their righteousness when the truth couldn’t be farther from them. They are in denial and deluding themselves. God will show them otherwise.
Martin, John., John Walvoord. "Isaiah." Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Bible Knowledge). Acambaro: Victor, 1985. 1035-1037. Print.
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