Isaiah Week 1, Days Two & Three: Isaiah 1

Disclaimer: working my way through Isaiah for the Advent season, using this study.  These notes are my study answers--interesting to no one but me! 

Day 2

The book is directed to Judah (Southern Kingdom) which would fall about 100 years later. The Northern Kingdom was in its final days.

Isaiah 1:1  Isaiah had a "vision."

“Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me."  Isaiah 1:2

1:3  Ox knows owner, donkey its master's crib but my people don't know me.

1:5  Why do you continue to rebel?  Whole heart faint, whole head sick.

1:6-9  the city and people full of bruises....if the Lord had not left a remnant, we would be wiped out like Sodom & Gommorah.

1. He calls them His children; Ex 4:22--my first born son; Ex 6:6--my own people; Ex 19:5--my own special treasure, my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.

"There is something very beautiful and pathetic in the fact that Judah is not directly addressed, but that Isaiah 1:2 - Isaiah 1:4 are a divine soliloquy. They might rather be called a father’s lament than an indictment. The forsaken father is, as it were, sadly brooding over his erring child’s sins, which are his father’s sorrows and his own miseries....And this fatherly lament over Judah is indeed a wail over every child of man. Does it not echo in the ‘pearl of parables,’ and may we not suppose that it suggested that supreme revelation of man’s misery and God’s love?" -Andrew MacLaren

2. Judah has rebelled (v. 2), sinful/evil, have rejected the Lord.

3. His ideal people are obedient to his commands, holy. He will set them above other nations and give them praise, honor, and renown.  2 Corinthians--we are his ambassadors, reconciling people to him. 1 Peter 2:9--chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation, God's very own possession

"After the indictment comes the sentence [Isaiah 1:5 - Isaiah 1:8]. Perhaps ‘sentence’ is not altogether accurate, for these verses do not so much decree a future as describe a present, and the deep tone of pitying wonder sounds through them as they tell of the bitter harvest sown by sin. The penetrating question, ‘Why will ye be still stricken, that ye revolt more and more?’ brings out the solemn truth that all which men gain by rebellion against God is chastisement. The ox that ‘kicks against the pricks’ only makes its own hocks bleed. We aim at some imagined good, and we get-blows. No rational answer to that stern ‘Why?’ is possible. Every sin is an act of unreason, essentially an absurdity."  -Andrew MacLaren

4. For His larger purposes--He always saves a remnant.

Day 3

The Lord is disgusted with the lack of justice in Judah.  He detests their pomp and circumstance of holy days and ceremonies which he said he did not ask for. They are worshiping idols in forbidden places (v. 29) Leaders are rebels, companions of thieves (v23), demand bribes, and do not defend the widow or orphan.  They are described as murders

1. a. He's displeased because their behavior is poor, despite the religious show.

b. It's relevant because we still cling to outward show over inward obedience and change.  It's easier.  It's socially more acceptable.

2.  8 things:
stop meaningless gifts
stop special ceremonies/days
wash yourselves
learn to do good
seek justice
help the oppressed
defend orphans
fight for the rights of widows
obey me

3.regret--feel sad or disappointed over
remorse--deep regret for wrong committed
repentance--to feel sorry for

I think he wanted #3...the definitions don't really bear/flesh out what he wants.

4. Isaiah 1:18  Come let us settle this. Though your sins are scarlet, I will make them white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson, I will make them white as wool.

"If you obey me, you will have plenty to eat." Isaiah 1:19
"Those who repent will be revived by righteousness."  Isaiah 1:27

5.  "But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemy Isaiah 1:20  Rebels and sinners will be completely destroyed.