If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land. Isaiah 1:19 NIV
In the first chapter of Isaiah, God confronts Israel as a rebellious nation.
Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the Lord has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Isaiah 1:2-3 NIV
The Lord recounted all He had done for His people, and realized that despite all the favor He had shown them, they did not acknowledge their success was a direct result of His actions. He offered them a father-son relationship, but they acted more like spoiled rebellious teenagers. ,
Oh, what a sinful nation they are–loaded down with a burden of guilt. They are evil people, corrupt children who have rejected the LORD. They have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. Isaiah 1:4 NLT
They did not embrace the relationship God offered them, they chose sin over righteousness, and carried a heavy load of guilt. They began to despise the God they should have loved and turned their backs on Him. Isaiah goes on to compare them with Sodom and Gomorrah, as he paints a picture of them going through religious motions but never really drawing near to God. You’d think that all is lost, that there is no hope, until you read the 16th verse.
Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Isaiah 1:16 NIV
It’s not too late! They still have a chance to get it right! How many times have you stopped to evaluate your own relationship with God only to realize that it’s not where you want it to be? If that’s you today, be encouraged, it’s not to late to turn things around.
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” 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. Isaiah 1:18 NIV
God wants to “settle the matter” in your life. He desires a father-son, or a father-daughter relationship with each one of us.
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. Isaiah 1:19-20 NIV
Are you willing? Will you obey your Father?