A major part of the purpose of worship is to maintain one’s relationship with the One who is worthy of worship. Judah was so defiled by evil that a dramatic turnaround was required if their worship was to be accepted by God. God provided the cleansing if the people would be serious in their commitment to walk God’s way.

1. Judah had sinned against God (vs. 1-4)

Read Jeremiah 32. The children of God had been nourished and brought up by God, but yet they had rebelled against Him. Isaiah is a great picture painter (vs. 3). The people of Israel are put to shame by the ox and the ass; that know their master! The evidence for the indictment is given in verse 4. There is a seven-fold description of the wickedness of Judah:-

• “Sinful nation”.
• “People laden with iniquity”.
• “Brood of evil-doers”.
• “Children who are corrupters”.
• “Have forsaken the Lord”.
• “Provoked to anger the Holy One”.
• “Have turned away backward”.

2. God has punished Judah but still they would not repent (vs. 5-9)

The nation was sick from head to foot with apostasy (vs. 5-6). There was apostasy in heart, words and in action. God’s judgment is swift and severe. But for the grace of God, Judah would have been totally devastated like Sodom and Gomorrah. See Genesis 19.

3. God will not accept vain worship (vs. 10-15)

The people obviously thought that Isaiah was exaggerating the extent of their condition. After all, they went to the temple, offered sacrifices and prayed to God. But God saw it as all vanity and emptiness. They should repent instead!

4. God appeals to the nation (vs. 16-20)

God offers to the nation that has so angered Him with its formal worship a full and free forgiveness. See verse 18.

5. Jerusalem rejects God’s offer (vs. 21-23)

They have forgotten their first love. She was the wife of Jehovah before, but now Judah has given her charms to other gods. She is a spiritual harlot who has gone too far.

6. God’s sentence of judgment is coming but eventually blessing will come (vs. 24-31)

There is a devastating indictment on Judah’s condition in this chapter even though there are several notes of hope. God does not destroy them like Sodom and Gomorrah due to his graciousness and covenant loyalty. God must still purge and purify the people to make them again into a righteous and faithful city/ Isaiah’s ministry is to proclaim this message so that the people understand the nature of God’s future actions and the decisions they must make.

Categories: Isaiah