Faithfulness in Heart and Actions: Isaiah 1:21-24

Isaiah 1:21-24

           

    21 The faithful city—

    what an adulteress she has become!

    She was once full of justice.

    Righteousness once dwelt in her—

    but now, murderers!

    22 Your silver has become dross,

    your beer is diluted with water.

    23 Your rulers are rebels,

    friends of thieves.

    They all love graft

    and chase after bribes.

    They do not defend the rights of the fatherless,

    and the widow’s case never comes before them.

    24 Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts,

    the Mighty One of Israel, declares:

    “Ah, I will gain satisfaction from My foes;

    I will take revenge against My enemies.

The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Is 1:21–24). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.

What a sting it must have been to be called the enemies of God when you are supposed to be children of God. The contrasts abound in this passage.

Verse 21:

Cities were usually referred to in the feminine in the Ancient Near East, but here we get something stronger. Zion (Jerusalem) was to be known as the companion wife of the Lord. Instead, she has become an adulterer. This has the same tone as the book of Hosea. But just what makes the city known for going against faithfulness?

She was once full of justice, but now she is full of murderers. Are these people all literally murdering others? This is a figurative representation of the type of relationships which are occurring within the society. Surely, some were literal murderers, but two apparent senses seem to be at work in this reference. First, in the same way that Jesus talks about anger and the heart condition of people in reference to murder (cf. Matt. 5:21-22) this passage seems to be addressing the hearts of people. Additionally, Isaiah is continuing to address the social ills which lead to loss of life. Along the lines of Deuteronomy, Micah, and James, Isaiah readily addresses the need for social justice as a natural outpouring of a repentant heart.

Verse 22:

            The things which would normally bring delight to the eyes and senses have been dulled. These things should have been valuable, yet they are empty and worthless on account of the people's true nature. In the same way, religious acts without a changed heart and true compassion are empty and worthless.

Verse 23:

            Rulers should be people who seek what is best for others. Here, the rulers have become petty and avaricious. There is nothing in their character or actions which commend them. This would be something to remember as we select rulers or leaders today. Character and actions matter. We must seek to find leaders which embody both characteristics. If we cannot find leaders who embrace policies which are life-giving, we risk entangling ourselves in the hypocrisy of dispositionally weak and evil leadership by default.  Looking at the history of Israel and Judah alone should give us pause when considering the embrace of any one party’s politics or stances, let alone any political leader. Although I am not advocating political withdrawal, believers must be careful to act in such a way that there own biases, be they personal, economic, or cultural, do not become idols in the discussion of governance.

            Social justice causes are often maligned and claimed to be separate from the government. If the church wants to disassociate government programs and charity, then the church must find a way to care for those who have not been cared for, regardless of the way their situation came to be currently. The church in the West cannot continue in its current path and still be effective in terms of evangelism without a change in this role. Personal piety can be an important and wondrous thing in its proper context. Social justice must also be contextualized properly. These two principles must be joined in a way the Church and society has yet to cohesively see in the modern era. Without the unification of these two components, the Church will continue to drive people away.  It is no accident that so many people have chosen to leave faith in the West and continue to do so in great numbers. Many people in my generation, and the generation to come, now claim no religious affiliation. The reasons for this are many, but the Church must be willing to humbly accept her part and failure in this departure from faith. Without such a posture, the situation will only become worse.

Vs. 24

            God’s greatness is reaffirmed as we finish this section. God is both transcendent and immanent for His people. The Lord of Hosts, Lord of all creation has chosen a people to carry out His will in the world. This is not accidental. Today, He has chosen the Church to be communicators and effectors of His will in the world. He is among us and we must be moved by Him. We are to be the hands and feet of the King. 

            The Lord’s patience is long standing and His vengeance is neither spiteful nor petty. Psalm 30:5 reminds us that His anger is brief, but His favor lasts much longer. Ultimately, the wrath of God was settled in Jesus against all sin and lawlessness (cf. Ez.5:13). This gives us the opportunity to be called the children of God who were far from God. However, it is also clear we may choose to reject God. Someday, Christ will return and judge the world. It is hard not to think of the parables of Matthew 25 (Ready Virgins, the Talents, and The Sheep and the Goats). Each one points out the necessity of being ready for the return of the Messiah. None is clearer than the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats in pointing out that some will claim that they knew the Messiah and yet He will reject them based on their lack of good works. I know I always try to pause and listen at the words of Jesus. The prophet’s words seem no less compelling, as they carry the same tone and Jesus saw himself as embodying the message of Isaiah’s Messiah, particularly in the Suffering Servant.

Final thoughts:

1.      Is there sin in my life that I need to confess and repent?

2.      What double standards appear in my life? We are often ready to confront the sin in others, but we need to confront our own sin humbly first (cf. Matt. 7:5).

3.      How can my life reflect the goodness and greatness of God this week?

4.      Do my actions reflect the joy of a living God? Or, do I need to repent of idols which are small and show a timidity of spirit?

5.      Where can I seek to work with the local church to help bring about the kingdom of God?