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The scene in Isaiah Chapter 1 is that of a courtroom - and God is the Judge. Judah and Jerusalem are in the dock and they are on trial. Heaven and earth are the jury. There are witnesses - there is the prosecution - there is the defence - and there is a sentence announced. It is all there to be understood.

The three basic charges are - 1. Iniquity in the nation. 2. Insincerity in the Temple.

1. Injustice in the city.

Verse 2 . Look at the situation in the nation - the charge is that of juvenile delinquency. God is the Father of the child in the dock - they are His sons and daughters. I have fed them - nourished them - clothed them - provided for them - raised them - and they have rebelled. They had rebelled against a perfect Father - that is how serious sin is.

There was much material prosperity at that time - and with that came spiritual complacency. We could be reading about our present day.

This materially prosperous nation had a sick soul that was being neglected. Leaders would not lead spiritually. That is always sad to see. It is in this context that Isaiah has to preach The Word of God.

The quality of the leadership in a nation or the Church is vital.

Verse 3 – God says - My people are worse than dumb animals. Animals know better than My people. Imagine God having to say that. But it is true - and God always wants the truth to be preached by his prophetic people.

The donkey knows where the manger is to get some food. There are many people today who do not know that God provides spiritual food – He wants to nourish His people.

God says - Tell them - they don't know their Father - they don't take time to think - they don't consider Me - until soon, it develops into forsaking. Then, they just wander away altogether - and are estranged - until they regard Me with contempt - and the Father and child relationship is broken.

We have seen this with people and God - now we are seeing it with fathers and their children. What began spiritually is now happening physically. That is the first charge - Iniquity in the Nation - and doesn't God speak clearly?

Verses 5,6 . Isaiah sees a man - covered with bruises and sores - with no flesh left to beat - and yet, still he is persisting in rebellion. They needed healing in so many ways - but they pretended that all was well. And - they would NOT come to God. How many are just like that?

Verses 7,8 speak of their condition - there are so few left - like a hut in a field. The great cities are gone - a nation has virtually been wiped out - some 46 cities had gone. They were saying - Who next? What will happen next? Is that not what we hear today?

But God did not wipe them off the face of the earth - God keeps a remnant - and God concentrates upon the remnant - and NOT THE NATION. O, always be among those whom God wants to bless. Be numbered among the faithful remnant.

The second charge is - Insincerity in the Temple . Now you would have thought that such a people would never have gone near a church - but no - we read the opposite. The Temple was packed. They had got away from God - but still kept going to church! Just because they were attending services - that did not mean they were close to God.

Man can be so religious at times - he loves rituals - ceremonies - beautiful prayers - people can be thronging around certain services. These things do NOT impress God. The people were physically present - but their heart was a million miles away from God.

It looked all right from the outside - all looked well - but God saw the heart.

The Temple was packed just hours before Jesus Christ was crucified.

We come to worship weak and sick and needy - we come for mercy and love and forgiveness - for healing and strength - for spiritual food to meet our spiritual hunger - thirsting for the Holy Spirit - needing to know that we have a fellowship around us.

Services should be like a casualty ward at times - or a harbour - our refuge - our ark of safety.

These people were so proud - so complacent - and God calls them - rulers of Sodom and people of Gomorrah. That is strong. And yet He continues to be so concerned - that He says - Hear My Word - Listen to My Law. Verse 10 .

Verses 11 - 16 are God's thoughts. God says - I've had enough - Stop bringing meaningless offerings. I cannot bear to be present in your services. I am weary of it all. Stop doing wrong - put things right. Verse 16 . I never want to hear that!

The prophetic word comes from God - and not from debate - nor by consensus.

Verse 19 . Let's deal with this today - if you do - I will wash you - and minister to you.

We are left in no doubt as to Who is speaking - what a message Isaiah had to proclaim.

Verse 21 - Injustice in the city - that happens when you get away from God and His Word.

Harlot - prostitute - murders - money losing its value - cheating – immorality among the rulers. What a catalogue of sin - God having investigated - He then intervenes. And soon they are carried off as prisoners to Babylon in Exile for 70 years. That is indeed a high price to pay for rejecting the prophets who brought and proclaimed the Word of God.

Read verse 25 . In 1972 I was in South Africa for three weeks – there was a man working with molten gold ore in a vat – he looked after the fire - and would skim off the scum – the impurities – until he could see his face reflected in the pure gold. “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness, with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2Corinthians 3verse 18 .

“Gracious loving heavenly Father – for Your solemn and serious and searching Word, we give thanks and praise – but help us to deal with these matters which need and require our attention – as we see iniquity in the nation – insincerity and unbelief in the Church – and injustice and corruption in the city. Fill those who are disciples of Jesus Christ with the Power of the Holy Spirit that we might be a light in the increasing confusion, bewilderment and darkness – Father, we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

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