Isaiah 1:18-31
Q.1. What was God’s appeal to His people? What warning did He give? What promise did He make? From where did the message come from? – (Isa.1:18-20)
God made an incredibly generous offer to His erring people – “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool” (Isa.1:18). The outcomes offered were diametrically opposed. God promised – If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land (Isa.1:19). However, He warned – But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword (Is.1:20). This message had all the authority of God Almighty – Truly, the mouth of the Lord has spoken (Isa.1:20).
Q.2. What was God’s complaint against the people? What will God’s chastening produce? Will everyone be treated the same in the time of judgment? – (Isa.1:21-31)
God likened His people to a harlot, because they had departed from His commands. Righteousness had been replaced by injustice, theft, bribery, corruption, and even murder. They no longer defended the defenceless, the orphans, and widows (see Isa.1:21-23). They would be swept away in judgment, but God was going to use this judgement to purify them – Then I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counsellors as at the beginning; After that you will be called the city of righteousness … a faithful city (Isa.1:26). God refuses to give up on His people. However, He will eventually turn against those who refuse to repent, so that –transgressors and sinners will be crushed together, and those who forsake the Lord will come to an end (Is.1:28 c.f. Is.1:29-31). He will treat His own differently – Zion will be redeemed with justice and her repentant ones with righteousness (Isa.1:27).