Isaiah 1: Outward Religion, Inward Corruption

Isaiah the prophet ministered in the nation of Judah during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.  His book begins with a fiery message calling the nation to repentance.  Isaiah warns the people that, unless they change their ways, judgment is coming because they have forsaken the Lord.

Centuries later, Jesus will tell the parable of the prodigal son to illustrate how sinners are like lost, wayward children to a loving father.  Isaiah makes the same point in verse 2 when he says, "I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me."  A little later, the prophet utters, "Ah, sinful nation, people laden with iniquity, offspring who do evil, children who deal corruptly, who have forsaken the Lord, who have despised the Holy One of Israel, who are utterly estranged!" (vs. 4).  So thorough is their fall that Isaiah likens them to Sodom and Gomorrah - and at risk of the same fate.  Already, "your cities are burned with fire" and "aliens devour your land" (vs. 7).

Isaiah particularly scolds the people for thinking that mending the rupture in their relationship with God lies in the ritual of sacrifices and offerings.  God says that He has "had enough" of rams, bulls and goats (vs. 11).  When outward religion masks inward corruption, God utterly rejects it.  Verses 12-15 contain some shocking sentiments about God's opinion of the trappings of religiosity that is tainted with iniquity and sin.  Empty worship simply cannot heal the wound.

If not sacrifice, then what is God looking for?  Obedience.  Purity.  Righteousness in the heart.  "Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow" (vs. 16-17).  God holds out the promise of forgiveness and offers restoration if the nation changes its corrupt ways.  In one of his book's most famous passages, Isaiah calls out, "Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool" (vs. 18).  There is hope if the people repent; but there is also the certainty of judgment if they refuse (vs. 20).

The remainder of this chapter describes the extent of Judah's fall.  Once a faithful daughter, she is now a whore; whereas she once housed righteousness, now she lodges murderers (vs. 21).  With its lack of compassion for widows and orphans, the nation is like impure silver.  Like a refiner, the Lord vows to remove the dross and burn away the impurity within Judah (vs. 25-26).