ISAIAH
Ch. 1:10-13a


Isaiah 1:10-13a

quote:

"Hear the word of the LORD, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the instruction of our God, You people of Gomorrah. 11 What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?" Says the LORD. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams, And the fat of fed cattle. And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats. 12 When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts? 13 Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. ..."

Just as in verse 2, "Hear" is the first word of Verse 10, except it is now directed to the people of Jerusalem. The command is more than just to hear with one's ears. The Hebrew word "shema", translated "hear", implies an obedience to what is heard, meaning listen and obey. In other words, if one does not obey, it is as though he does not "hear".

James, the brother of Jesus says it like this: "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." (James 1:22)

Spiritually speaking, because of her sins, Jerusalem had become like Sodom and her people, like the people of Gomorrah. However, their fates were entirely different in that the Lord, out of His gracious mercy chose to save Jerusalem. Here is an example of God's grace -- Jerusalem was spared out of God's good favor and not because of any merit within her city walls.

The remainder of this section deals with Judah's worship. Some would say that God is putting an end to their sacrifices and special days of worship because He now detests them. Could it be that the God who originally instituted their form of worship now despises it? It appears they were following the prescribed method of sacrifice and worship, but something else was seriously wrong.

We learn from this passage how offensive heartless worship is to the Lord. Worship from a heart of hypocrisy is not true worship. Along with the outward observance of worship, God wants a heart of devotion stemming from a spiritual relationship with Him including – a broken spirit (Psalm 51:7); an inward devotion and obedience (I Sam. 15:22) and a godly walk (Micah 6:6-8).

Psalm 51:17-19
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. 18 By Thy favor do good to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then Thou wilt delight in righteous sacrifices, In burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then young bulls will be offered on Thine altar."

1 Samuel 15:22-23
"And Samuel said, 'Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 23a For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.'"

Micah 6:6-8
"With what shall I come to the LORD And bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves? 7 Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my first-born for my rebellious acts, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?"

Although these sacrifices had been instituted by God as a means for the people to draw near to Him, He did not find any delight in them because Judah's observance was nothing more than an outward show of piety without any desire to draw near. With their faithless hearts they profaned His courts to the point God did not want any more of their "worthless offerings". Instead of offerings of sweet incense as they should have been, they had become totally unacceptable.

Personally, I can hardly think of any lesson that has spoken so deeply to my heart. Our God is a Holy God, who is to be reverenced and praised in a right and holy way with our hearts focused only on Him. Let's enjoy the sweet Presence of God in worship and know that it is for Him and to Him we render our adoration and praise.