Passage: Isaiah 1:1-20 Speaker: Pastor Lukus Counterman Series: Isaiah: The Lord is Salvation
Speaker: Lukus Counterman - The book of Isaiah begins with a heading that defines the nature of Isaiah's message as a “vision” concerning Judah and Jerusalem received during the reigns of four kings of Judah: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. This would place the date of Isaiah's work approximately 739-690 B.C. Isaiah chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the entire prophecy, and provides an example of the messages God wanted Isaiah to deliver. It begins with the Lord’s indictment of Israel for rebellion. The corrupt condition of the nation and city is described and their hypocritical worship condemned (v. 2-15). Even so, the Lord offers a call to repentance. For those willing to return to the Lord for cleansing and replace their evil doings with justice and compassion, they can be forgiven and eat the good of the land. For those who refuse and continue in their rebellion, they will be devoured by the sword (v. 16-20). Our encounter with the first chapter of Isaiah should expose the depths of our sin while at the same time encourage us in the gracious forgiveness of God. Give praise this morning, for “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow”(v. 18) – that is the work of our God.