“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news”

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Isaiah Writing to the rebellious Writing to those have suffered for their rebellion Comforting with words of... Hope Explanation Future Saviour

Isaiah 1 2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” 4 Ah, sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.

Isaiah 1 2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” 4 Ah, sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. Everyone to hear

Isaiah 1 2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” 4 Ah, sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. Rebellion

Isaiah 1 2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” 4 Ah, sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. Not knowing God His values and nature Laziness in relationship

Rebellion Not knowing God His values and nature Laziness in relationship There are very few who in their hearts do not believe in God, but what they will not do is give Him exclusive right of way.... They are not ready to promise full allegiance to God alone. Many a professing Christian is a stumbling-block because his worship is divided. On Sunday he worships God; on weekdays God has little or no place in his thoughts. I want people to place their faith in Jesus and motivate them to live more obediently. D.L. Moody

Rebellion Isaiah 1 2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” 4 Ah, sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. Not knowing God His values and nature Laziness in relationship Listening to the world/events

Rebellion Isaiah 1 2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” 4 Ah, sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. Not knowing God Thinking God is our servant Pride of independence His values and nature His Lordship

Rebellion Isaiah 1 2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” 4 Ah, sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. Not knowing God Turning back on God Left what we knew to be right His values and nature His Lordship Resentment

Rebellion Not knowing God Turning back on God Left what we knew to be right His values and nature His Lordship Resentment Discontent is one of the most satanic of all sins, and to indulge in it is to rebel against God just as Satan did. Jerry Bridges Discontent is one of the most satanic of all sins, and to indulge in it is to rebel against God just as Satan did. Jerry Bridges

Rebellion Isaiah 1 2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” 4 Ah, sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. Not knowing God Turning back on God Left what we knew to be right His values and nature His Lordship Resentment Distraction

Rebellion Not knowing God Turning back on God Left what we knew to be right His values and nature His Lordship Resentment Distraction What you have to do and the way you have to do it is incredibly simple. Whether you are willing to do it, that’s another matter. Anon What you have to do and the way you have to do it is incredibly simple. Whether you are willing to do it, that’s another matter. Anon

Rebellion Isaiah 1 2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” 4 Ah, sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. Not knowing God Turning back on God Left what we knew to be right His values and nature His Lordship Resentment Distraction Opposition

Rebellion Isaiah 1 5 Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted. Stubbornness Even when things not working

Rebellion Isaiah 1 11 “The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the LORD. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. 12 When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? 13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your evil assemblies. Empty religion What makes the religion empty? Religious observance Offerings Meetings

Rebellion Isaiah 1 14 Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Empty religion What makes the religion empty? Religious observance Offerings Meetings Prayer

Rebellion Isaiah Your hands are full of blood; 16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Empty religion What makes the religion empty? Participation in the shedding of blood

Rebellion Isaiah Your hands are full of blood; 16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Empty religion What makes the religion empty? Participation in the shedding of blood Allowing injustice

Rebellion Isaiah Your hands are full of blood; 16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Empty religion What makes the religion empty? Participation in the shedding of blood Allowing injustice Ignoring the oppressed

Rebellion Isaiah Your hands are full of blood; 16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Empty religion What makes the religion empty? Participation in the shedding of blood Allowing injustice Ignoring the oppressed Not defending the defenceless

Rebellion Isaiah Your hands are full of blood; 16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Empty religion What makes the religion empty? We need to walk with the vulnerable Participation in the shedding of blood Allowing injustice Ignoring the oppressed Not defending the defenceless Not speaking for the voiceless

Isaiah 1 23 Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them. 24 Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies. Re-enforcement 1 Empty Religion - Participation in the shedding of blood Allowing injustice Ignoring the oppressed Not defending the defenceless Not speaking for the voiceless Rebellion

Isaiah 1 23 Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them. 24 Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies. Re-enforcement 1 Empty Religion - Participation in the shedding of blood Allowing injustice - for money Ignoring the oppressed Not defending the defenceless Not speaking for the voiceless Rebellion

Isaiah 1 23 Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them. 24 Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies. Re-enforcement 1 Empty Religion - Participation in the shedding of blood Allowing injustice - for money Ignoring the oppressed Not defending the defenceless Not speaking for the voiceless Rebellion

Isaiah 1 23 Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them. 24 Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies. Re-enforcement 1 Empty Religion - Participation in the shedding of blood Allowing injustice - for money Ignoring the oppressed Not defending the defenceless Not speaking for the voiceless Rebellion

Re-enforcement 1 Empty Religion - Participation in the shedding of blood Allowing injustice - for money Ignoring the oppressed Not defending the defenceless Not speaking for the voiceless Isaiah 1 23 Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them. 24 Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies. Rebellion

Isaiah 59 1 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. 3 For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things. 4 No one calls for justice; no one pleads their case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. Re-enforcement 2 Empty Religion - Participation in the shedding of blood Allowing injustice - for money Ignoring the oppressed Not defending the defenceless Not speaking for the voiceless Rebellion

Isaiah 59 1 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. 3 For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things. 4 No one calls for justice; no one pleads their case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. Re-enforcement 2 Empty Religion - Participation in the shedding of blood Allowing injustice - for money Ignoring the oppressed Not defending the defenceless Not speaking for the voiceless Rebellion

Isaiah 59 1 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. 3 For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things. 4 No one calls for justice; no one pleads their case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. Re-enforcement 2 Empty Religion - Participation in the shedding of blood Allowing injustice - for money Ignoring the oppressed Not defending the defenceless Not speaking for the voiceless Rebellion

Isaiah 59 1 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. 3 For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things. 4 No one calls for justice; no one pleads their case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. Re-enforcement 2 Empty Religion - Participation in the shedding of blood Allowing injustice - for money Ignoring the oppressed Not defending the defenceless Not speaking for the voiceless Rebellion

Isaiah 5 20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. 22 Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, 23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent. Re-enforcement 3 Empty Religion - Participation in the shedding of blood Allowing injustice - for money Ignoring the oppressed Not defending the defenceless Not speaking for the voiceless Rebellion

Isaiah 5 20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. Re-enforcement 3 Empty Religion - Participation in the shedding of blood Allowing injustice - for money Ignoring the oppressed Not defending the defenceless Not speaking for the voiceless E.g. Greed = ambition Bullying = Joking Insults = Free speech Selfishness = Wisdom Loosing control = Fun Caring = Weakness Apologising = Failure Calling bad good Rebellion

Isaiah 5 20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. 22 Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, 23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent. Re-enforcement 3 Empty Religion - Participation in the shedding of blood Allowing injustice - for money Ignoring the oppressed Not defending the defenceless Not speaking for the voiceless Rebellion

Journey of the rebel Forget/resent God is our master Turn Back on God’s values - call evil good Ignore/forget relationship with God Worship without care for the vulnerable God stops listening/answering Rebellion

Yet God offers forgiveness Isaiah 1 18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; 20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Rebellion

Yet God offers forgiveness Isaiah 1 18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; 20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Choice offered Rebellion

God’s desire to remove our impurities Isaiah 1 25 I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. 26 I will restore your judges as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.” 27 Zion will be delivered with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness. 28 But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the LORD will perish. Yet God offers forgiveness Choice offered Rebellion

At each stage God calls us to repent Isaiah 1 18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; 20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Poor relationship Not knowing master Empty Religion Ignoring the vulnerable Rebellion

Father God, Our offences are many in your sight And our sins testify against us. Our wrongdoing is ever with us; Our lips have spoken lies, Our tongues muttered wicked things, We have not called for justice We have not followed the way of peace. We acknowledge our iniquities; We have rebelled against you and acted treacherously towards you, Turning our backs on you. Our sins have hidden your face from us. But surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save Nor his ear too dull to hear. The redeemer has come To those who repent of their sins “This is my covenant” says the Lord From Isaiah 59

Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. I am weak in the faith; strengthen me. I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbour. I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and am unable to trust you altogether. O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in you. Martin Luther