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Today's reading
December 4, 2024
Extreme Measures
Isaiah 2:2-4; Isaiah 1:14-20; Isaiah 6:11-13
Although Isaiah prophesied for over 40 years over the course of the four different kings, the content of his prophecies was very similar. Judah had been infected by affluence and as a result they felt entitled to what they had. They were empowered by success and felt as if they did not need God. They were enamored by other nations so they continuously incorporated other religious practices alongside the covenant worship of God. In a dramatic vision and prophetic rebuke God through Isaiah calls all the earth to gather to hear his complaints.
"Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth;
for the LORD has spoken:
'Children have I reared and
but they have rebelled against me.
The ox knows its master's crib,
but Israel does not know,
my people do not understand.'
Ah, sinful nation,
a people laden with iniquity,
offspring of evildoers,
children who deal corruptly!
They have forsaken the LORD,
they have despised the Holy One of
Israel,
They are utterly estranged."
Isaiah 1:2-4 (ESV)
As the ethos of their culture became more and more pagan, they believed the lie that they could manipulate the gods through their actions. They thought that by observing the Jewish feasts and sacrifices that all of their backsliding would go unnoticed.
God exposes their hidden motives saying,
"Your new moons and your
appointed feasts
My soul hates;
They are a trouble to Me,
I am weary of bearing them.
When you spread out your hands,
I will hide My eyes from you;
Even though you make many
prayers,
I will not hear.
Your hands are full of blood.
'Wash yourselves, make
yourselves clean;
Put away the evil of your doings
from before My eyes.
Cease to do evil,
Learn to do good:
Seek justice,
Rebuke the oppressor;
Defend the fatherless,
Plead for the widow.
'Come now, and let us reason
together,"
Says the LORD,
'Though your sins are like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land;
But if you refuse and rebel,
You shall be devoured by the
sword';
For the mouth of the LORD has
spoken."
Isaiah 1:14-20 (NKJV)
Judah could not gaslight God through empty gestures and half-hearted prayers. The only way forward would be repentance, justice, and charity. Isaiah pleads with Judah on God's behalf saying, "There is still time. I have a beautiful future for you if you will repent". Even under the threat of judgement at the hands of a foreign nation, Judah is deaf to these pleas and blind to the plight their rebellion has caused. Intoxicated by idolatry and smitten by the ways of the world Judah inches towards its demise. In Isaiah chapter 6 just after the prophet's call, he asks God how long he will be prophesying to this nation? How much time will it take for them to realize their folly and repent?
"And he said:
'Until cities lie waste
without inhabitant,
and houses without people
and the land is a desolate waste,
and the LORD removes people far
away,
and the forsaken places are many in
the midst of the land.
And though a tenth remain in it,
it will be burned again,
like a terebinth or an oak,
whose stump remains
when it is felled.'
The holy seed is its stump."
Isaiah 6:11-13 (ESV)
The people of Judah would never respond to the prophecy...it would take judgement to get their attention. God would carry them away and burn their land till it was an empty charred husk. Just when it seems as though nothing could ever come to life in this land, a small vine will emerge from one of the tribes of Judah. This is the true vine Jesus Christ. He has come to save the world, not condemn it; but only those who trust him for salvation will be able to find life by connection to him.
The message of Christmas is that God is jealous for our affection and worship. He will break the attitudes and actions that divide our heart so that we are united with His. Out of that brokenness God will make all things new.
This is the message of Christmas to you.