Change and Be Blessed - Learning from Isaiah 1

Albert Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results”. But some men are wiser. Instead of giving up their sins, they want to use substitutes, doing more religious things to cover their sins, hoping they will get away. But God is not fooled. Unless they change and depart from evil, God cannot bless them despite their religious activities. Such is the teaching of Isaiah 1.

The Key Verses of Isaiah 1 

in a mind-map form:

The Content:

• The nation was in a poor state - depression
  • Isa 1:7  Your country lies desolate; your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence foreigners devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners. 
• The people kept the religious ceremonies, praying for God to revive the economyIt did not work at all. Why?
  
  • Isa 1:13  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. 
• Repent & Put things right first
  • Isa 1:17  learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. 
• Then God Will Forgive and Restore
  • Isa 1:19  If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; 
• The Unfaithful CityBut they continued in sins!
  
  • Isa 1:23  Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow's cause does not come to them. 
• Summary
  • Their present dire state is due to their evilness where their religious activities could not get God to bless them. They were to change first and then restoration will come.
  • Principle:
    • Fix the guilt by repentance and not cover-up with religious activities
    • Don't give excuses or use substitutes instead of cutting off the root cause or activity.
• Applications
• Are you having any problem?
• Have you found a cause and a solution?
• Is your solution working?
• If NOT
• then You have not found the root cause.... go back to look again, never give excuses but objectively and calmly examine the facts

Lim Liat (c) 22-8-17