These verses continue the theme in the earlier verses, which speak of Israel’s sin. But tucked inside is also a call for them to hope in God and turn back to him.
(A) Our social sins reveal our spiritual unfaithfulness (Isa 1: 21-23)
Isa 1:21 opens in an evocative manner. This is someone speaking from the depths of his being, and he is speaking of something tragic that is happening. Israel was set out to be a faithful city but she is no longer being that. Israel is likened to a whore, bringing along with it the idea of being unchaste. What does Isaiah lament here? He could have lamented the economic ruins and trouble, but here, he focuses on the moral and spiritual bankruptcy. This is a similar picture painted for us in Lam 1:1, where Israel is likened to a lonely city who is a pale shadow of her former self. The prophet also compares her to a widow who was once great, and also calls her a slave now, though she was a princess previously. As we read these verses, we are also led to reflect on what we lament. What do we lament?
Murderers have now replaced righteousness in Judah (Isa 1:21b). In Exo 20:3, Israel was told that they were not to have any other gods before Him and it was the first commandment. They were also told that they were not to murder, and it was the sixth commandment (Exo 20:13). In Isaiah, the first commandment has been transgressed and the sixth commandment too, as a result of breaking the first.
Isaiah is helping us to see that how we live out our moral lives show our faith or faithlessness. God cares about how we relate to Him and also how we relate to one another! Their moral bankruptcy was also a reflection of their spiritual bankruptcy.
In Isa 1:22-23, we read of how their silver becomes dross. Dross bubbles up to the surface when silver is heated and purified. Yet, their silver has become that which is worthless. That which was meant to be pure is corrupted. Similarly, the idea of mixing their best wine with water carries the same idea. This is seen in their corrupt leadership. Corrupt leaders meant a corrupt nation. These leaders were rebels and “companions of thieves” (Isa 1:23a). They love bribes and run after gifts, and is a society that favours the rich, where might is right and the weak and oppress do not enjoy justice (Isa 1:23b). Note that the problem here isn’t that there is an imbalance power or wealth structure. The problem is that in their power and abundance, their hearts have become calloused.
How is this spiritual unfaithfulness? In Ps 146:7-9, we read of a God who executes justice, gives food to the hungry, who loves the righteous, upholds the widow and fatherless. The people of God were meant to represent this God to the nations around. In looking at the way Israel lived, they were to help others see that God is a God who loves justice, cares for the downtrodden. But Israel lived a completely different life now.
Consider the state of your own heart. What do you make room for? What do you feed and encourage? What are you doing in your abundance? Has it hardened your heart? Does it reflect God and His faithfulness?
And let’s just consider not just our personal lives, but also our lives together in the church. What do our lives together reflect? What does your church reflect? What does your church when people step in? Has pure worship been compromised by tolerating sin?
And to be more practical, how hospitable is your church to those who are fatherless and also are widows? Who do you see when you look around on a Sunday morning? Who attends your church?
(B) God’s terrifying judgment produces merciful restoration (Isa 1:24-27a)
In Isa 1:24,the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel speaks. From the way He speaks, it sounds like He is personally offended by their rebellion. It looks like God is going to act against His enemies and foes, and we assume it’s the other nations, but read ahead.
God speaks of an intense cleansing and purification process. (Isa 1:25-26). There is both judgment and also purification. What kind of restoration should they expect? This restoration will bring about an amazing reversal of their name. They will be called the “city of righteousness, the faithful city” (Isa 1:26b).
As we read these verses, we see that judgment and restoration are bound together in God’s plan. Isaiah helps us see that it is possible for deliverance to happen through judgement and hope can arise in such a situation. This is possible because God declared it, and what He declared will come to pass. In Ps 89:28-37, we read of how though Israel was corrupt, God declares He will be faithful to His covenantal promises. One like David will come, and in His stead, His rule will last! As the rest of the book unfolds, God reveals how He will accomplish this deliverance. At the end of the book, in chapter Isa 58-60, we will see it written of in incredibly clear terms.
These themes don’t stop with Isaiah. In Jesus, we see One who is full of grace and truth. This is not just a Jesus who embodies God’s grace and truth, his holiness and mercy. He displays it on the cross and that is where God’s judgment ultimately brings about the people’s purification. Our redemption story is nothing like what the world can offer. At the cross, justice and mercy hold together.
Why is this important? But what happens when we don’t hold his justice and mercy together? If we lose one or the other, we end up making too much of ourselves or lapse into despair. But thank God that these things hold together.
(C) Repentance restores us to our Redeemer; Rebellion leaves us ruined (Isa 1:27b-31)
As a result of God’ act, rebels and sinners shall be broken and they shall be ashamed of their idols. God says that Israel “shall be ashamed of the oaks that you desired; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen” (Isa 1:29). Israel “shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water” (Isa 1:30). Yet at the end, the strong becomes like tinder and will burn together with his work without quenching (Isa 1:31). Nothing will stand.
There is a shame spoken of here that is deep (c.f. Isa 1:29), the kind when an adulterer is caught red-handed by his spouse and chosen. It is a shame that comes from choosing what is perverse while forsaking what is good. When God gives us up to do a debased mind, to do what we ought not do, it is chilling (c.f. Rom 1:24-28). It is a scary thought when He leaves us alone to burn.
In contrast, redeemed people look like a repentant people (Isa 1:27b). They come before God, acknowledging their hopelessness. But repentance is a scary thing because we fear that our repentance will not be accepted. But hear the good news in Isaiah. God’s people have been redeemed by justice (Isa 1:27a).
Christ who knew no sin became sin for all. This Christ redeems us first, then calls us to live a life of repentance. The price has been paid and we can come freely, honestly, openly and with strange joy. We can come before Him honestly daily, and bring our sins to Him, knowing that He is faithful and just and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In Titus 2, we read of how He purifies a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.
Are there areas of your life that you have hidden away? Are there things that you have preferred over God and have forsaken Him? Cast yourself on the mercy of Christ and hear His call of repentance.