ISAIAH
Chapter 1:1-3
Part 3 of 3

Isaiah 1:1-3

quote:

"The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, concerning Judah and Jerusalem which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. 2 Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; For the LORD speaks, "Sons I have reared and brought up, But they have revolted against Me. 3 "An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master's manger, But Israel does not know, My people do not understand."

Even more amazing is that God was a "husband" to Israel (Jeremiah 31:32). He had betrothed them to Himself. Amazing because He knew, even beforehand, they were not going to be faithful to the covenant they had made. Looking to the future, God had Moses write a song to remind them of the awesome works He had done (Deut. 31:16 - 32:47). He knew eventually, in spite of the prosperity they would enjoy and the satisfaction they would receive from His loving hands, they would turn to serve other gods.

This seems incredible! How could they spurn their God who had done so much for them?!! It was most definitely a heart issue, a cancer that would destroy them unless they repented of its root cause. They had become ungrateful and contrary to the covenant they had made, they came to believe God would bless them in spite of their iniquities. They were living the best of both worlds, or so they thought. Satan's kingdom in reality is only lies and deception that leads to destruction. They were given a choice of spiritual life or spiritual death, blessing or cursing and they chose the path that leads to "death".

Deuteronomy 30:19-20
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."

It was Israel who had broken covenant, but unlike unfaithful Israel, Elohim (God) keeps His promises. He brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which He had sworn to Abraham, Issac and Jacob, knowing all along their descendants would rebel. What love a Father has for His children!

In verse 3 Isaiah uses the ox and the donkey as an illustration of Israel's sins. These animals were known for their stupidity and stubbornness. Yet, even though God had imparted special revelation to Israel that few in the rest of the world had any knowledge of, Isaiah says these dumb animals demonstrated more wisdom. Israel was beyond being slaves to a master - they had a Father who had given them so many advantages, adopted them when they were not a people and gave them spiritual blessings throughout their history. They were now without excuse!

Does this description of Israel sound familiar to the world we live in today? Have we chosen to walk in the way of the Lord? We stand in the valley of decision with a choice between spiritual life or spiritual death. The Lord's admonition to us is to "Choose Life!"

This passage should also cause us to reflect upon how ungrateful we may be to a God who has given us every advantage. Let's not follow the example of Judah's ungrateful heart, but instead, respond in faith and obedience to a God who will cause us spiritually "to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob" - Life! - found only in the Messiah, our Savior!