When an action wounds a relationship one values, they do whatever it takes to mend it.
Israel had wounded and angered God. But they kept on going—without turning back. They didn’t bother to seek reconciliation. But they still wanted His blessing. So, they continued to offer sacrifices and prayer; but, because it was hollow, they further provoked Him.
Some of the hardest words to read in all of Scripture are found in chapter one of Isaiah, like these:
Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them (Isaiah 1:13-14 ESV).
God had had enough of their sacrifices (Isaiah 1:11). He no longer took delight in their offerings but found them abhorrent. They were empty, devoid of reverence but full of pretense. They had resorted to mindless motion without heart. He saw their coming before Him as a “trampling of His courts” (Isaiah 1:12). He could no longer endure their sin or assemblies (Isaiah 1:13). Of their feasts, He said, “My soul hates; they have become a burden;” I am weary of them (Isaiah 14).
Ouch!
But that’s not all.
When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood (Isaiah 1:15 ESV).
Who can bear to hear such horrific words? Who can pray, knowing their prayers are not heard, and not be utterly undone? Oh, we may "hide" from God, but could we bear the thought of Him hiding His eyes from us?
Yet, even then, He would not forsake them.
The most incredible grace He extended when, in verses 16-17, He offered them an opportunity to repent… to turn back.
But it would take some doing. Not, as in overly complicated. But doing, as in action. For within those verses are listed 10 verbs. Verbs of reconciliation. Verbs for healing.
Isn’t that just like God? Oh, not like any other god others profess. But only Yahweh, Jehovah God of Israel. Our same God.
God provided a remedy. He prescribed a means for the healing of their relationship. But would they just do them? Or mean it?
Linger long over the verbs highlighted—meditate upon each one:
Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take [remove] your evil deeds out of my sight;
stop [cease] doing wrong.
Learn to do right;
seek justice.
Correct [reform] the oppressor.
Deal justly with the fatherless;
plead the widow’s cause (Isaiah 1:16-17).
These were actions for their relationship with God. And toward others. Isn’t that what truly pleases the Lord?
If they would but repent, by doing what God commanded, they would once again enjoy a wholly mutual relationship with Him. And He would delight in their prayers and offerings.
Then in verse 18, the final verb rounds out our list at 10: “Come.”
Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool (Isaiah 1:18 ESV).
The unrepentant experienced the silence of God (Isaiah 1:15). I shudder at the thought. But for those who chose to know Him and walk with Him, He would be found for the turning. And forgiven.
I am reminded of the silence of Jesus before Herod. I have wondered why He chose not to speak. To defend Himself. But this might shed some light there. Is it possible that Herod experienced the silence of God because he, too, was unrepentant?
God extended an invitation—to the willing. But follows it with a warning for the rebellious (Isaiah 1:19). That, too, is a grace. But far more dangerous than an outright rebellion is the slow turning. Is performing spiritual practices while losing sight of God. Or resorting to mindless motion without heart.
Later in the chapter, in verse 27, God spoke again of repentance. To His covenant people He extended this promise of redemption: “Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness” (Isaiah 1:27 ESV). But He also paired it with this promise of destruction for those who would forsake Him: “But rebels and sinners shall be broken together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed” (Isaiah 1:28 ESV).
Jesus is that Redemption. He, too, issued a call to “Come!” He is our Reconciliation to God (2 Corinthians 5:18). Will you do “whatever it takes” to mend that relationship?
Turning to God in repentance and being washed in the blood of Jesus, who has done all to redeem us and reconcile our wounded relationship with God, our Father, is the fullness of God’s grace visited here.
And it is ours today!
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