LEARN TO DO RIGHT; SEEK JUSTICE
Isaiah 1:1-23 / Keywords 1:17
learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage
the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
A Rebellious Nation
2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!
For the Lord has spoken:
“I reared children and brought them up,
but they have rebelled against me.
3 The ox knows its master,
the donkey its owner’s manger,
but Israel does not know,
my people do not understand.”
4 Woe to the sinful nation,
a people whose guilt is great,
a brood of evildoers,
children given to corruption!
They have forsaken the Lord;
they have spurned the Holy One of Israel
and turned their backs on him.
5 Why should you be beaten anymore?
Why do you persist in rebellion?
Your whole head is injured,
your whole heart afflicted.
6 From the sole of your foot to the top of your head
there is no soundness—
only wounds and welts
and open sores,
not cleansed or bandaged
or soothed with olive oil.
7 Your country is desolate,
your cities burned with fire;
your fields are being stripped by foreigners
right before you,
laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.
8 Daughter Zion is left
like a shelter in a vineyard,
like a hut in a cucumber field,
like a city under siege.
9 Unless the Lord Almighty
had left us some survivors,
we would have become like Sodom,
we would have been like Gomorrah.
10 Hear the word of the Lord,
you rulers of Sodom;
listen to the instruction of our God,
you people of Gomorrah!
11 “The multitude of your sacrifices—
what are they to me?” says the Lord.
“I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
of rams and the fat of fattened animals;
I have no pleasure
in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
12 When you come to appear before me,
who has asked this of you,
this trampling of my courts?
13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—
I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
14 Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals
I hate with all my being.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I hide my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
I am not listening.
Your hands are full of blood!
16 Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
stop doing wrong.
17 Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.[a]
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.
18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the good things of the land;
20 but if you resist and rebel,
you will be devoured by the sword.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
21 See how the faithful city
has become a prostitute!
She once was full of justice;
righteousness used to dwell in her—
but now murderers!
22 Your silver has become dross,
your choice wine is diluted with water.
23 Your rulers are rebels,
partners with thieves;
they all love bribes
and chase after gifts.
They do not defend the cause of the fatherless;
the widow’s case does not come before them.
Footnotes
a. Isaiah 1:17 Or justice. / Correct the oppressor
1.
Isaiah was a prophet revealing the corruption, the coming judgment, and the
eventual restoration of God’s
people Israel. He was also a poet, painting the words of God in powerful, vivid
pictures of the spiritual forces at work. His imagery gave meaning to the
events that were unfolding. Isaiah also points to the Gospel story and to
Jesus.
2.
Outwardly, the people of Judah were faithful at keeping all the appointed
festivals. They observed the Sabbath, had many conferences and prayer meetings,
and gave offerings to God. Yet, these religious practices became detestable to
God because their personal lives did not reflect the heart of God. Their hands
were full of blood.
3.
In their wickedness, people cared for themselves while others were being
oppressed and neglected. They needed to learn to do right. Learning takes
humbleness to admit that we may be wrong and need to change. Learning takes
self-examination and a willingness to acknowledge our blind spots. Learning
opens our eyes to the suffering of others, helping us show Jesus’
compassion towards those in need.
Prayer Lord, teach us how to really see
and care for the oppressed among us. Cleanse us from our deep-rooted sin and
shame and make us whole.
One Word Learn
to do right
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