Isaiah 1:10-20
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The long reign of Uzziah [also known as Azariah] in the land of Judah and Benjamin was characterized by a prosperity greater than that of any other ruler since the death of Solomon, nearly two centuries before. For many years the king ruled with discretion. Under the blessing of Heaven his armies regained some of the territory that had been lost in former years. Cities were rebuilt and fortified, and the position of the nation among the surrounding peoples was greatly strengthened. Commerce revived, and the riches of the nations flowed into Jerusalem. Uzziah’s name “spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.” .
This outward prosperity, however, was not accompanied by a corresponding revival of spiritual power. The temple services were continued as in former years, and multitudes assembled to worship the living God; but pride and formality gradually took the place of humility and sincerity.
White, E. G. (1917). The Story of Prophets and Kings as Illustrated in the Capitvity and Restoration of Israel (Vol. 2, pp. 303–304). Pacific Press Publishing Association.
And now as a result of breaking the covenant, the people were to face the judgments of God through the various invasions of the Syrians in league with northern Israel, the Assyrians, and finally the Babylonians. But the dangers from without, overwhelming though they seemed, were not so serious as the dangers from within.... Many of the evils which were hastening the swift destruction of the northern kingdom, and which had recently been denounced in unmistakable terms by Hosea and Amos, were fast corrupting the kingdom of Judah.
The outlook was particularly discouraging as regards the social conditions of the people. In their desire for gain, men were adding house to house and field to field. See . Justice was perverted, and no pity was shown the poor. Of these evils God declared, “The spoil of the poor is in your houses.” “Ye beat My people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor.” , . Even the magistrates, whose duty it was to protect the helpless, turned a deaf ear to the cries of the poor and needy, the widows and the fatherless. See , .
White, E. G. (1917). The Story of Prophets and Kings as Illustrated in the Capitvity and Restoration of Israel (Vol. 2, pp. 305–306). Pacific Press Publishing Association.
vs 10 sodom and gomorrah are being used here because of how they broke the law of God. It is not the homosexuality of Sodom but their pride and idleness, fulness of bread
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SEE ,
. & 7:3. See
vs 11-15
The God whom they had been claiming to serve, but whose character they had misunderstood, White, E. G. (1917). The Story of Prophets and Kings as Illustrated in the Capitvity and Restoration of Israel (Vol. 2, p. 315). Pacific Press Publishing Association.
God seems to be saying, don't give me sacrifice which speaks of forgiveness and atonement, part of the law, but at the same time they are leaving out the weightier matters of the law. SEE
Anything like this is just self deception.
11 of what importance to me are your many sacrifices?
12 do you actually think I want this?
13 don't bring Me anymore meaningless offerings
14 I hate, I'm tired of carrying the burden of your feasts
15 I don't listen because your hands are covered with blood.
THIS IS A PLAY ON IDEAS. THEIR HANDS ARE FILLED WITH THE BLOOD FROM SACRIFICES, BUT THEY ARE ALSO FILLED WITH THE BLOOD OF ORPHANS, WIDOWS, AND THE OPPRESSED
The reason why God’s people are not more spiritually minded, and have not more faith, I have been shown, is because they are narrowed up with selfishness. The prophet is addressing Sabbathkeepers, not sinners, not unbelievers, but those who make great pretensions to godliness. It is not the abundance of your meetings that God accepts. It is not the numerous prayers, but the rightdoing, doing the right thing and at the right time. It is to be less self-caring and more benevolent. Our souls must expand. Then God will make them like a watered garden, whose waters fail not.—Testimonies for the Church 2:35, 36.
White, E. G. (1952). Welfare Ministry (p. 28). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
vs 16-17 because the peoples hands are full of blood, God calls upon them to take hold of cleansing by experiencing true repentance. Repentance is pictured as stopping what they are doing- sinning in his sight through social injustice, and learning to do what is right.
What is right? promoting justice
giving the oppressed a reason to celebrate because of your kindness and help
taking up the cause of the orphan
and defending the rights of the widows.
vs 18-20 here God calls on them to consider their options by presenting hope of renewed peace in which they can eat to good of the land and have forgiveness of sin in contrast to being eaten up by the sword of the invaders. He finishes the statement by letting them know that this is a certainty which God has spoken.
vs 18-20 here God calls on them to consider their options by presenting hope of renewed peace in which they can eat to good of the land and have forgiveness of sin in contrast to being eaten up by the sword of the invaders. He finishes the statement by letting them know that this is a certainty which God has spoken.
bridging context
1) The first issue that has to be addressed in this passage in order to apply it to our lives is specifically first and foremost that of social justice. Are we hearing the law of the Lord? How do we take for ourselves personally the teaching of Jesus in
There Need Be No Suffering, No Destitution—If men would do their duty as faithful stewards of their Lord’s goods, there would be no cry for bread, none suffering in destitution, none naked and in want. It is the unfaithfulness of men that brings about the state of suffering in which humanity is plunged. If those whom God has made stewards would but appropriate their Lord’s goods to the object for which He gave to them, this state of suffering would not exist. The Lord tests men by giving them an abundance of good things, just as He tested the rich man of the parable. If we prove ourselves unfaithful in the unrighteous mammon, who shall entrust to us the true riches? It will be those who have stood the test on the earth, who have been found faithful, who have obeyed the words of the Lord in being merciful, in using their means for the advancement of His kingdom, that will hear from the lips of the Master, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”—Ibid.
White, E. G. (1952). Welfare Ministry (pp. 16–17). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
WHAT DOES THIS TRUTH HAVE TO DO WITH ME PERSONALLY?
A life in harmony with repentance seeks to live out the truth. Speaking to the crowds that came to be baptised by John, when they asked him what a new life looked like, he told some, the person who has two jackets, should share one with the person who has none, the person who has food should share with the one who has none. Practical Christianity is a mark of a repentant life.
Sin has extinguished the love that God placed in man’s heart. The work of the church is to rekindle this love. The church is to cooperate with God by uprooting selfishness from the human heart, placing in its stead the benevolence that was in man’s heart in his original state of perfection.—Letter 134, 1902.
For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy in thy land. .
White, E. G. (1952). Welfare Ministry (pp. 14–15). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
WHY ARE THERE POOR AMONG US?
To Encourage Love and Mercy—In the providence of God events have been so ordered that the poor are always with us, in order that there may be a constant exercise in the human heart of the attributes of mercy and love. Man is to cultivate the tenderness and compassion of Christ; he is not to separate himself from the sorrowing, the afflicted, the needy, and the distressed.—The Signs of the Times, June 13, 1892.
White, E. G. (1952). Welfare Ministry (p. 17). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
ARE THERE ANY SET RULES FOR US TO FOLLOW?
The reason why there are no set rules to follow is because we are not to simply do acts and then think that our job is done. In living out social justice, we are to copy the life of Jesus.
Do you, my brethren and sisters, inquire: What model shall we copy? I do not point you to great and good men, but to the world’s Redeemer. If we would have the true missionary spirit, we must be imbued with the love of Christ; we must look to the Author and Finisher of our faith, study His character, cultivate His spirit of meekness and humility, and walk in His footsteps. White, E. G. (1952). Welfare Ministry (p. 55). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
Visit the sick and suffering, and show a kindly interest in them. If possible, do something to make them more comfortable.
White, E. G. (1952). Welfare Ministry (p. 70). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
There are many from whom hope has departed. Bring back the sunshine to them. Many have lost their courage. Speak to them words of cheer. Pray for them. There are those who need the bread of life. Read to them from the Word of God. Upon many is a soul sickness which no earthly balm can reach or physician heal. Pray for these souls. Bring them to Jesus. Tell them that there is a balm in Gilead and a Physician there.—Prophets and Kings, 718, 719.
White, E. G. (1952). Welfare Ministry (p. 73). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
WHAT SHOULD OUR CHURCH DO?
The Work Every Church Should Have Been Doing—The work of gathering in the needy, the oppressed, the suffering, the destitute, is the very work which every church that believes the truth for this time should long since have been doing. We are to show the tender sympathy of the Samaritan in supplying physical necessities, feeding the hungry, bringing the poor that are cast out to our homes, gathering from God every day grace and strength that will enable us to reach to the very depths of human misery and help those who cannot possibly help themselves. In doing this work we have a favorable opportunity to set forth Christ the crucified One.—Testimonies for the Church 6:276.
Sermons Cannot Do It—By personal labor reach the people where they are. Become acquainted with them. This work cannot be done by proxy. Money loaned or given cannot accomplish it. Sermons from the pulpit cannot do it.—Gospel Workers, 188.
White, E. G. (1952). Welfare Ministry (pp. 74–75). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
If our lives are not in harmony with this teaching, what factors are stopping us from living it out?
Do we not have time?
Does my time for pleasure not leave me any time for others.
Do we not have money to help? Do my shopping habits not leave me with anything to help others?
Are we scared of people?
It is obvious that we are not all able to do everything, but there are things that we can do, and its these things that God will judge us for. Not the things that we can't do.
SEE
No one who isn't experiencing God's love for them will be properly motivated to take hold of this work.
SEE
This response to Jesus love for us is at the heart of the teaching of Jesus. If you have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, you've done it unto me.
So as we address the issue of social justice, we can see that God hates an outward religiosity without heart religion. The essence of all of the covenant principles with Israel is this ,
Then the first step in living out this truth is the transformation that is spoken of in . This is divine transformation. Going from scarlet to white is not something that we can accomplish for ourselves. It's the work of God in our lives. SEE In what practical way can we experience this transformation so that we can be washed and clean, stop sinning and learn to do right ,?
holds the key. Vs 11 says that it is by his knowledge will he justify many. The transformation takes place as we begin to understand that adding hat to hat, and electronic gadget to gadget, and shoe to shoe, and clothing item to clothing item, we have made our hands full of blood, and that Jesus will take our place if we be willing to experience repentance and obey his teachings.