God is angry with Judah and Israel

Today we begin the book of ISAIAH. In his message, Isaiah brings a divine judgment for both Israel and Judah.

ISAIAH CHAPTER 1

Isaiah had visions concerning Judah and Jerusalem, during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah - all kings of Judah.
To the rebellious Judah he tells the people, that the Lord says the children he raised have turned against him. Even animals appreciate the care of their owner, but his people just do not understand. The Lord says they are a sinful nation and have despised the Holy One of Israel.

The Lord asks why they invite punishment? Why do they rebel? Their country lies in ruins and cities are burned, foreigners plunder their fields and destroy everything. If the Lord had not spared a few people, they would have been wiped out completely.

Isaiah tells the people to listen to the law of God. God is sick of the sacrifices, he wants no more. He has grown to hate all the celebrations of the new moon and Sabbath because they are all sinful and false. God urges the people to give up their wicked ways. But he wants to argue out the problems. He tells the people that no matter how deep the stain of sins, he can remove them and make them as white as snow.

Jerusalem, once so faithful is like a prostitute. Once home of justice and righteousness, she is filled with murderers. Therefore, the Lord says he will pour his fury on the enemies. He will melt them down and skim off the slag and remove the impurities. Then he will give Jerusalem good judges and wise counselors like ones they used to have. And so the sinners would repent and the people of Jerusalem would be redeemed.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Sometimes Israel refers to both kingdoms. The northern kingdom had sinned greatly and the southern kingdom was headed in the same direction.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? The people of Judah were cut off from God's help and isolated. Don't we often feel isolated like that ourselves at times? Remember that God does not abandon you. But we must always repent of our sins and own up to the consequences of our sins. God alone can wash sin's stain from our lives, and his word assures us that if we are willing and obedient, he will forgive us.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Pray for Gabe.
Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother who faces another round of chemotherapy and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother-in-law is being taken to Oklahoma to live with an aunt who will care for her.
Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.
Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer and for her sister Wanda’s soul which went to heaven.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who is undergoing chemo for his prostate cancer. Update on Robert: he has one more treatment and then three months of waiting for his psat test to come back clean.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and for the doctors who have difficulty diagnosing his other symptoms.
Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.
Pray for another friend named Carolyn whose faith remains strong, but is lost and confused about where and how to spend her elder years.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.