"Worship God Hates" May 5 Readings: Isaiah 1-4

  

Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024

This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened." Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New. 

Bible Readings: Isaiah 1-4

Background:  

Isaiah is the prince of prophets who called Israel to worship God. He was likely a member of the royal family, from a prominent family. 

Daily Devotional: Worship God Hates

Isaiah is often called the prince of prophets because of the grandeur and power of his prophecy. He was a member of the royal family who spoke the word of the Lord boldly and without fear. Second only to Psalms in length, it is one of the most quoted Old Testament books and it contains many of the best-known prophecies of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

The first chapter makes one thing clear - something that people today need to remember. "All religions are the same," people say. "It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are sincere, good, and kind." Whatever you believe, whatever religion you practice, it's fine as long as it makes you happy. God does not feel that way, according to Isaiah 1. Look at what verses 10-15 say.

Listen to the Lord, you leaders of “Sodom.”
    Listen to the law of our God, people of “Gomorrah.”
11 “What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?”
    says the Lord.
“I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams
    and the fat of fattened cattle.
I get no pleasure from the blood
    of bulls and lambs and goats.
12 When you come to worship me,
    who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony?
13 Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts;
    the incense of your offerings disgusts me!
As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath
    and your special days for fasting—
they are all sinful and false.
    I want no more of your pious meetings.
14 I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals.
    They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them!
15 When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look.
    Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen,
    for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims.

Israel was living in sin - so much that God addressed them as Sodom and Gomorrah. In verse 11, he made it clear that all their sacrifices - the practice of their religion - meant nothing to him. Even though they were commanded by God, they were meaningless, because of the sinful and unrepentant hearts that were bringing the offerings. He describes their religion as a "trampling of my courts" in verse 12. But it even gets worse than that. In verse 13, their incense (often a representation of prayers) was "detestable" and God "hated" their festivals and solemn assemblies. Israel's religion was a burden to him and he refused to listen to their prayers.

Here are God's chosen people engaging in "worship" and God says he hates it. And there is a special reason for that. Their hearts were full of sin, unrepentant sin. They did not serve God and they did not care. They thought that going through the motions of worship and religion would satisfy God and they could continue as they pleased.

Two things are a part of true religion, true worship. First, it must be done in the manner that God prescribes. In the Old Testament, that meant bringing an offering to the Tabernacle or temple and offering it according to the Law. In the New Testament, worship must focus on the Crucified and Risen Christ, his reconciling work on our behalf.

But worship must also be bathed in repentance and the redemption that follows. We cannot simply waltz into the presence of God, perform a few rituals, and assume that God is going to be impressed by that. We must come with humble and repentant hearts, confessing our sin and yielding to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all things. Verses 18-20 spell this out.

“Come now, let’s settle this,”
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    I will make them as white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson,
    I will make them as white as wool.
19 If you will only obey me,
    you will have plenty to eat.
20 But if you turn away and refuse to listen,
    you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies.
    I, the Lord, have spoken!”

There is hope for sinners like us. Our scarlet sins can become white like snow - there is redemption and renewal in Christ. Of course, we must be "willing and obedient" instead of "refus(ing) and rebel(ling)." 

Father, I thank you that you receive sincere worship and open your heart to your people. But may my devotion to you be pure, repentant, humble and submissive. 

Consider God's Word:

Do you practice your faith, your worship, in a way that is pleasing to God? 

Or, do you come to God with offensive sacrifices? 

Remember, according to Romans 12:1, our sacrifice is our bodies given completely to him as a living sacrifice.