Isaiah 1-My own Judah

I love how every time I open my bible something that I have read a hundred times can take on a whole new meaning. I am thankful that God has given us his word to guide and teach us, but I am disappointed/surprised how often we (myself especially) can forget how precious it is. It has been revealed to me that I am continually still trying to take control of my own life. Now…knowing what I do about my God and how much he loves me and wants to make my life the very best it can be…why would I want to be in control? It’s a good question. I’m afraid. I’m not going to go into the depths of my twisted cognition and why I do what I do…but needless to say, I often find myself trying to take control even when I don’t truly want control. So I have recommitted myself to giving my time to God before I get into my studies or relationships, etc. Today I started reading Isaiah (again) and found myself relating strongly to the ways of Judah. It’s not something I’m very proud of, but it’s reality none the less. Not only did I find myself relating to it…I found my world I live it being described in discrete detail. It’s sad to say that our world is not so different than the days of the world well over 2,000 years ago.

See what you think…

“The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the Lord has spoken:

‘I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.

The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.’

Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilty, 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.

Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted. From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness-only the wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soother with oil.

Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid wasted as when overthrown by strangers.

The Daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a field of melons, like a city under siege.

Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah…

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.

When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts?

Stop bring me meaningless offerings! …

They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even in you offer many prayers, I will not listen…

Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!

Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow…

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; thought they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.

See how the faithful city has become a harlot!

She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her-but now murderers!

Your silver has become dross. your choice wine is diluted with water…

Zion will be redeemed with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness.

But rebels and sinners will both be broken and those who forsake the Lord will perish.

You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen.

You will be like an oak with fading leaves, like a garden without water.

The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire.”

[Isaiah 1: 1-9, 11-13, 15-22, 27-31]

Fall is my absolute favorite season. I love when the leaves on the trees begin to change colors and I find myself surrounded by vibrant oranges, golds, and reds. As much as I enjoy this time, there is always a tiny piece of me that knows winter is soon following this wonderful time of year. I don’t dread winter like I used to, in fact I am quite enjoying it. However, the leaves were once crunched and raked will disappear. They will be swept away and all will become barren until Spring. I know enough to know that I do not want to be “like an oak with fading leaves.” It may be enjoyable and beautiful at the beginning…but I know what lies ahead. So in order to increase my efforts of trying to make things better and right…my new approach: doing nothing, but making time to listen intently for the guidance of my Father. And praying he will heal my broken and rebellious heart…

My anthem today…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h843f2GXie0 (sorry it’s copyright protected…copy and paste to listen/watch) 😀