THE BOOK OF ISAIAH

Genuine Repentance not Hypocritical Worship Brings God’s Full Forgiveness

Isaiah 1 SCC 2/10/13

Who is Isaiah:

He prophesies during the reign of ________________kings 1:1: Uzziah reigned 52 yrs good king, Jotham 16 yrs good king, Ahaz 16 yrs bad king, and Hezekiah 29 yrs good king.

Background and Setting:

During the late 8^th century Assyria asserted its influence over the province of Israel. This time it was determined to systematically _____________________ land to Assyria as a prelude to an invasion of Egypt.

Introduction to Isaiah 1: God is bringing a formal _____________________ against the nation. 

___________________________ AGAINST GOD WILL ONLY BRING RUIN 2-9

There are times when we are disobedient to God, His Word, and His will. There are other times when we may be guilty of rebellion.

A.  Rebellion against God is ignorant and ________________________(2-4). 

The passage begins with God's summons of the nation to judgment with an indictment against them for their ignorant and ______________________ rebellion against Him. 

Verse 2 is the call to judgment.  Israel is accused, God is the Judge and the Plaintiff, and "heaven and earth" is witness. Everything in _________________________ will witness this. 

Verse 3 shows that their sin was ignorant. The ox and the ass contrast with the people of God who do not "know" or "consider". Even dumb animals do not bite the hand that _______________________ them, but Judah does!

Verse 4 is the full catalog of the "rebellion" of Israel. Here seven expressions for their sin, signifying how _________________________ or all-consuming it was. The main words for sin are used here. 

B.  Rebellion against God brings complete _____________________ (5-8).

Verses 5 and 6 give us a personification of the land as a beaten and bruised man. Here God's people are personified as physically ___________________ individuals. It is a complete ruin.

Verses 7 and 8 stress the theme of devastation at the hands of foreigners. The Lord judges His people by the use of pagan enemies.

C.  Divine intervention prevents complete _______________________ (9).

Verse 9 introduces the image of "Sodom and Gomorrah" here. God did not permit complete destruction for Jerusalem. 

HYPOCRITICAL WORSHIP ONLY _________________________ THE SINFUL REBELLION 10-15

Verse 10 Isaiah calls the leaders of the people of Israel "rulers of Sodom and Gomorrah” making a __________________ of the two. All the terms in this chapter describe the people of Israel and the people of Sodom alike.

Verse 11 affirms that their offerings are _________________________.  The threefold description is that they are useless ("What to me?"), have no purpose ("vain,"), and give God no pleasure. 

Verse 12 states that their very attendance in the service was not welcome.  The verb "trample" is literally "stampede". "Who required you to stampede my courts?" --like a bunch of ______________________animals

Verse 13 details the __________ they perform as hypocritical and therefore detested by God.  Their offering is vain; their incense or prayer is an abomination; about their assemblies the text quotes the Lord as saying, "I cannot” then it is silent.

Verse 14 describes their feasts as ________________________ to God and hated by Him.  The verb "hate" includes both the ideas of rejecting and feeling dislike for something. 

Verse 15 completes this section with a note that their _____________________ will not be answered. "Spread out your palms frantically" is the reality is prayer.  "Hide my eyes" is a way of saying God will not answer is the reality. 

ONLY _______________________ REPENTANCE WILL BRING COMPLETE & FULL FORGIVENESS 16-20

Verses 16 and 17 give nine admonitions to the people. 

Verse 18 tells how this life-changing forgiveness will take place.  God will __________________ their lives and destiny if they truly repent and confess to Him. 

Verses 19 and 20 conclude the call for change with the alternatives for their responses--blessings and curses.  If they turn and obey they will "eat" the good of the land; if they refuse and rebel they will be "__________________" by the sword. 

CONCLUSION:

1. Repentance is a basic essential component for ______________________ with God and avoiding his judgment. About sin, Jesus said, "Unless you repent, you shall all likewise perish."

2. About __________________ worship Jesus said, "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me".

3. About genuine forgiveness Jesus said, "Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Titus 3:1-8 explains that we were sinful as they, but we have been washed, we have been sanctified, and now must demonstrate our faith by good works of __________________________.