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Prepare: These opening words of Isaiah make uncomfortable reading, so prepare your heart and mind by remembering that God is as much your Father as he was Israel’s. Pray that today you might live as a child of God.
Their heart wasn’t in it
Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel, was sick, not because its people had forsaken religion – ritual seems to have been flourishing (vs 11–15) – but rather because their heart was not in it. Instead of a love of justice and kindness that is at the heart of true worship of God, their actions were evil and violent.
This affected most the weakest in the land, the orphan and widow (v 17). They clearly believed outward show was all that was needed, and that their lifestyle need not reflect their worship.
The sin of presumption
These people had a choice: to respond to their sins by repentance and transformation so that their crimson, blood-covered hands and hearts were washed until they were white as snow, or to stay in their rebellion and face destruction.
Their moral failure was matched by the sin of presumption: the belief that God would protect them, however much they were disobedient to his ways. But God loved them too much to leave them in that vulnerable place, and his judgement was the means of his redeeming and purifying them. So with us: ‘whom the Father loves, he also disciplines’ (Hebrews 12:10).
Respond: ‘God, don’t leave me as I am: transform me by your Spirit into the likeness of Jesus. Amen.’
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-06-25
Their heart wasn’t in it
Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel, was sick, not because its people had forsaken religion – ritual seems to have been flourishing (vs 11–15) – but rather because their heart was not in it. Instead of a love of justice and kindness that is at the heart of true worship of God, their actions were evil and violent.
This affected most the weakest in the land, the orphan and widow (v 17). They clearly believed outward show was all that was needed, and that their lifestyle need not reflect their worship.
The sin of presumption
These people had a choice: to respond to their sins by repentance and transformation so that their crimson, blood-covered hands and hearts were washed until they were white as snow, or to stay in their rebellion and face destruction.
Their moral failure was matched by the sin of presumption: the belief that God would protect them, however much they were disobedient to his ways. But God loved them too much to leave them in that vulnerable place, and his judgement was the means of his redeeming and purifying them. So with us: ‘whom the Father loves, he also disciplines’ (Hebrews 12:10).
Respond: ‘God, don’t leave me as I am: transform me by your Spirit into the likeness of Jesus. Amen.’
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-06-25
Scripture
About this Plan
WordLive provides a daily slice of Bible reading and commentary that, over four years, covers most of the Bible. The commentary encourages the reader to engage with the Bible passage in order to deepen their relationship with God, through reflection and practical application. The WordLive website offers further multimedia content and group Bible study, while registration offers a daily email, journal and bookmarking, and community tools.
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We would like to thank Scripture Union England & Wales for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.wordlive.org/youversion
