Isaiah 1-6
Burnt, Grain, Sin, Fellowship, Guilt. An interesting list of the different offerings given to the Lord. Given at different times, in different ways, they are a very important part of the cycle of atonement in the lives of the Israelites beginning in the wilderness. In that system when blame and guilt is present because of our sins there was not a way to remove our sins from us. Spilling the blood of innocent animals was the solution to keep in right relationship with God. It was a long way from a perfect system but it was the best option in that time.
When the instructions for these offerings were originally given the Lord says that it will be a sweet smelling sacrifice and He will forgive us. I believe this system was provided so that the culture would flourish. It can be some work to find, kill and sacrifice an animal. Wouldn't you think that they would want to do it less and less? Just like I don't go 30 miles over the limit because I don't want ticket after ticket, the hope was to have an ever decreasing need for sacrifices as we became closer to what God wanted us to be.
There is just one problem. It didn't work. In Romans, Paul tells us that the Law was given not so that we could perfectly follow it but rather to show how horribly we can't even come close. To show how much we need a Savior. So, after centuries of this sin and offering cycle our God was simply becoming angered by His peoples continued evil. Through His prophet Isaiah God tells Israel exactly how disappointed He is in them and what the ramifications are for continually disobeying Him.
When the instructions for these offerings were originally given the Lord says that it will be a sweet smelling sacrifice and He will forgive us. I believe this system was provided so that the culture would flourish. It can be some work to find, kill and sacrifice an animal. Wouldn't you think that they would want to do it less and less? Just like I don't go 30 miles over the limit because I don't want ticket after ticket, the hope was to have an ever decreasing need for sacrifices as we became closer to what God wanted us to be.
There is just one problem. It didn't work. In Romans, Paul tells us that the Law was given not so that we could perfectly follow it but rather to show how horribly we can't even come close. To show how much we need a Savior. So, after centuries of this sin and offering cycle our God was simply becoming angered by His peoples continued evil. Through His prophet Isaiah God tells Israel exactly how disappointed He is in them and what the ramifications are for continually disobeying Him.
ISAIAH 1:11-20 “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 bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. | The maker of Heaven and Earth doesn't need our dead rams or doves or lambs. He has pleasure in YOU and wants a relationship with you. By continually sinning despite sacrificing our own hypocrisy is tearing us apart. The offerings become meaning less. The sweet smells have turned detestable. Everything that was established for good is now being used to nothing to strengthen a relationship with God. God has turned His back and the guilty hands and hearts of His people are being ignored. God has stopped listening. However, God still loves us so much that even when His back is turned He is watching. When evil behavior turns around and we seek justice, He will be there again. The Law and the Old Covenant are impossible for any human to perfect. So, even in His rage God gives us the hope that He will send help. Gone will be the methods of covering up our mistakes and in it's place will be a chance to remove them from us. Being washed in the Blood of the perfect sacrifice, He who knew no sin and was completely unblemished is our key to living free. Thank you Father God for giving us a way to come into right relation with you, that we may appear as white as snow. |