I hope to get through Isaiah this time with a little more understanding than ever before...
Chapter 1 is the first of several visions. Isaiah says Israel has turned from God and he goes into much detail of the consequences of their having done so. It appears that God is not all that impressed with religious piety and observation of ceremony.
OK, then, what DOES God want? [this is so cool] Verses 17 and 23 share a common directive: "...Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows." What Israel continued to do throughout Old Testament history was to resort to the lifeless ritual of religion - literally worshipping it - and they ignored the "life" of religion - people!
Once again, I see God setting us up for the New Testament even here in Isaiah! It is not about legalistic observation of rules and regulations! It is about loving God and man!!!!!! I repeat, IT IS ALL ABOUT LOVING GOD AND MAN! Imagine the spiritual "depth" Isaiah must have peered into as he penned these words! Imagine the spiritual excitement he must have experienced as he pondered what God must actually be saying through his writing!
Now, that I am all excited about this... So, what about loving God and man? Unfortunately, I believe I fall quite short in this. Bummer, it looks like being free from the Law and living in grace is not quite the walk-in-the-park some would make it out to be!
God help me enjoy the freedom I have in You. But help me not become "lost" in this freedom as Israel was "lost" in the Law and neglect orphans and widows. Help me love You and man - and especially those who cannot help themselves.
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