READ: Is. 1:1-4
… ‘I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me’. – Is. 1:2b
The prophet Isaiah appears in Judah during the time of four kings, a spiritually dark time. The LORD constantly observes that His people are acting wickedly and not serving Him sincerely.
The first chapter serves as an introduction to the entire book. Isaiah receives a revelation from God. God calls heaven and earth as witnesses, bringing a serious charge against His people. They cannot escape it. The LORD’s assessment is different from human judgments. The old human nature tells us that maybe it’s not so bad. After all, there are still plenty of religious people and gatherings. But God says, “I have nourished and brought up children, but they have rebelled against Me.”
God views His people as children of the covenant. He has shown them His undeserved grace, love, and care. He brought them from Egypt to the promised land where they are prospering. He also raised them through His law of love, His temple service, and the Word of His prophets.
But what He must acknowledge on their part is astounding: “they have rebelled against Me.” The LORD shows in verse 3 that their attitude is unnatural. Even a cow goes to its owner, and a donkey knows its master gives good food. But these children no longer recognize their own Father. He created, redeemed, and cared for them, yet they reject His fatherly love and have become estranged from Him. They no longer listen to His voice. In fact, Judah behaves like the heathen.
Outwardly, there is still appearance of worship (vv.11-15), but the LORD knows their hearts and sees their entire lives. Verse 4: “Woe to the sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who are corrupters!” They have forsaken Him and rejected the Holy One of Israel.
The LORD exclaims “woe!” Woe expresses a mixture of His grief and disgust. It appears a total of 21 times in Isaiah, condemning the apostasy of the Israelites.
Do you recognize the situation of our time in this?
Singing: Ps. 79:1
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