Isaiah 1:1-20

Thought by many >book OT, OT Rms, likened 5th gospel. Isa called OT Paul. Next Ps, most quoted OT book (85x). JB began ministry by quoting 40:3, Ethiopian Eunuch-Ac 8:28, JC began preaching ministry w/ Isa 61. Even though 600 BC, outside gospels, clearest picture Messiah. So loaded Messianic prophecy can pre-construct very detailed description JC and the major outline His life. Isa speaks about birth, food, character, family, death, burial, resurrection, 2^nd coming, millennial reign and eternal kingdom. Not a novel written at one single point life, but compiling “visions” and history over 60 yrs. Sometimes aimed at own generation, sometimes near future, sometimes far (even beyond us). His life covered by 2 Kg 15-21. Elij/Elish gone, Assyria about take N., Amos winding down handing to Hosea, Micah in Judah. Jer coming next (destruction). Traditionally, dies by Manasseh, sawn…Lived capital and had a family.

While priests hereditary (not necessarily holy). Prophets personally selected by God and therefore occupied unique position and responsibility (1Kg 13). Inter-communication heaven, at times entered and saw…sometimes visibly saw future (2Kg 8:11). Their words inspired to degree that not only those present required respond, but became God’s written Word to all generations. Had authority appoint or depose kings. Prophets often called by God to ‘live out’ their messages (Isa 20). Their messages were powerful, precise, and proved God by proclaiming future…Had pass 2 tests from Dt 13/18. #1 completely agree Torah and #2 100% accurate. Therefore, seems always had near prophecies to validate. If failed either test, “not fear that prophet”. Should be noted that true prophets declared Word of LORD in peril of lives. JC stated Jers slain prophets (Mt 23:37). Isa knew his calling affect family; refers wife as ‘prophetess’ and son’s ‘A remnant shall return’ & ‘Swift will the prey and spoils be taken’. These prophets thoroughly different than prophecy NT church.

This specific prophetic book has 3 over-arching themes. The Holiness of God! "The Holy One of Israel" 31x; 25 occur Isaiah. Second theme, Messiah (chapters 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 25, 28, 32, 33, 35, 42, 49, 50, 52, 53, 61 … and countless others)

How effective during 50 yrs? Leads to 3rd prominent theme…Remnant…God’s preservation of the faithful few. No matter how wicked Israel became, God always protected a remnant. Rm 9:29 quotes Isa 1:9. This is in fact a Biblical theme. In every generation, God has those who “not bend knee Baal.” True then, true now…Mt 7:13-14 Isa knew before started that is all there would be, see Isa 6:9-13. It wasn’t about #’s but the remnant. In fact, I believe at one point (Hez’s death) that Isa must’ve thought end had arrived, because he turns from REPENT, to encouraging God’s people in exile (only hadn’t happened yet). In fact, God’s grace extended 100 yrs >Isa. As come to end Isa’s life/writing, brings message comfort, hope and restoration, which gets so huge that reveals a new heaven and earth.

Isa controversy. Beginning 1900’s (2500 yrs after Isa) some theologians came up idea >1 Isa. Idea caught on as “higher critics” sought ways discredit Scriptures. At 1^st thought 2 because clearly who can name Cyrus (Chp 45) 200 yrs before born, Isa 41:22-23, Isa 45:21…There must be 2; an Isa Assyrian background and a Babylonian background. Too many detailed prophecies. Then that wasn’t good enough, must be 3. Finally, some suggest 14…NT quotes by name > any prophet, Jn 12 quotes 1^st and 2^nd part, names 1 author. JC quotes from all 3 portions and attributes 1 Isa. In fact JC favorite prophet, JB’s favorite, Mt’s favorite, Lk’s, Jn’s, James’, Peter’s, Paul’s. And all attribute to 1! Good enough for me! When Dead Sea scrolls discovered (1947), Isa scroll found (on display Israel “Shrine of the Book” museum). Critics crazy, nearly 1k (700 AD-200 BC) yrs older than oldest extant copy...SAME PRAY…

Vs. 3 ABRUPTLY SPEAKS, all way to vs. 20. Tells us root all problems, sin Sin not so much do/don’t, but rejecting Creator. Rm 1:18 suppressing truth. God calls all creation bear witness. Even uses nature to rebuke…Dumb ox even knows master, stubborn donkey comes to one who feeds, yet God’s children don’t think about what Job said (Job 12:9-10). Story Scottish man born in Christian home, married Christian wife, Christian children, knew Bible, but rejected God until one Sunday, fit of depression…decided walk…sat under tree and against fence. An old cow came over and stood near. Finally, after a time, it reached out and nestled his arm and this Scripture came to mind. He said, “By Jove, the ox knows more about God than I do” and came to His own Master. Mankind suppresses “instinct of eternity”… As parents, can appreciate how obvious it is that we love our children, yet they fight against as grow and oh, how hard it is reason their actions, but we have all treated God worse! The animals more faithful than us. Not one vs where dumb animal rebels against Lord? Jonah 1:17 Now the LORD prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah…1Kg 17:4 I have commanded the ravens to feed you …Gen 7:8-9 Of clean animals, of animals that are unclean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth, two by two they went into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. JC rode into Jer, w/ thousands shouting and waving branches on a donkey on which no one has sat (Mk 11:2)

Vs. 8 During Ahaz, attacked and pillaged by Israel, Syria, Edom, Philistines, Assyria; 2 Ch 28:19 the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had encouraged moral decline in Judah and had been continually unfaithful to the LORD. Did they consider “why?” 2 Ch 28:22 says, Now in the time of his distress King Ahaz became increasingly unfaithful to the LORD. We read headlines today and shocked!!! What expect when reject God in every aspect life. At this point when average person rejecting God then, what the surprise? Of course Israel a mess. Of course everything falling apart.

Vs. 9 No survivors! It is only goodness of God I’m still around. Only the mercy and patience God, who gave me time to repent and be saved.

Vs. 11 What God say Saul? 1 Sam 15:22 Has the LORD as great 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. In midst rebellion, Judah very religious - and God had enough!

 

Vs. 15 In midst “mess”, there is a beautiful religious ceremony w/ many fine prayers; eloquent, stirring, emotional and also empty, hollow and useless. We don’t normally consider faithful religious activity as utterly wretched before God. But, God’s sacrifices had one prerequisite…repentance. JC sacrifice covers all sins, that is all sins that you repent from. God not addressing someone struggling, but those like children who draw all over walls, knowing Mom has an eraser. They were gaining no favor or power and it wasn’t God’s fault. 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. Mt 15:8-9

Vs. 17 Donald Grey Barnhouse tells story butcher converted. “What difference make in life?” “I no longer weigh my thumb.” This what God saying, repentance is visible and practical (2 Cor 7:11). Jn repeat message 1Jn 4:20. Everyone at church “loves God”, yet treats everyone else like dirt. Biblical repentance is practical and real…and only then does it tell us good news…

Vs. 20 From the standpoint of the obvious, God’s offer is ridiculously reasonable. Rm 12:2 Ever hear Christian recant at deathbed? Atheist? Come now, you haven’t gone too far, it’s not too late. Be reasonable, do you want to gamble w/ eternity? Daily Bread…Bible commentators say that scarlet portrays sin to emphasize its indelible nature. You can immerse a cloth in any other color and the stain can be removed. Once red dye has been thoroughly set in a piece of goods, however, no scientific method is known that can successfully eliminate it without damaging the fabric. Even if the material is rubbed and scrubbed until threadbare, the fibers that are left will still retain their crimson hue. There is nothing man himself can do to change his evil nature and turn it into the white purity of holiness. God alone has the power to do such a thing. How? 1Jn 1:9 Ps 103:12, Rm 8:33. Made it very clear, not due to religious ceremony. A gift! We really can break w/ past, and new beginning. Power of sin, shame of sin, the guilt, the domination, the terror, the pain can all be taken away in JC.

The key? Willing You see, its not "Can God?" It’s an invitation if you are willing…Willing and blessed, refuse and devoured. God says, “Be reasonable.”