Read Isaiah 1 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
1:1-9 {p} The rebellious children of Judah who did not learn from discipline
1:10-17 {s} YHVH abhors futile sacrifices for sin when it is not accompanied by turning away from evil
1:18-20 {p} Scarlet sins washed white/ obedience = prosperity, rebellion = devoured by the sword
1:21-23 {s} Once righteous Jerusalem a harlot/ once righteous princes rebellious and unjust
1:24-31 {p} YHVH will rid Himself of His enemies, purging the dross by fire
The Strong Themes:
1:10-20 {s+p} Futile sacrifices for sin, but YHVH will wash sins, afterward those who obey will prosper
1:21-31 {s+p} YHVH will restore the righteousness of Jerusalem and her princes, by purging the dross by fire
Chiastic structure (and Expanded Chiasm pdf):
The 1B pair (Isa 1:10-17, see the Expanded Chiasm pdf) of the structure seems to denigrate bringing offerings, and celebrating Sabbaths or other feast days. Is that really what the Hebrew is saying?
Notice YHVH’s frustration at the “trampling” of His courts (vs. 12). ‘Trampling’ is a striking verb choice. It implies a herd of animals stampeding through the temple courts, so numerous that there’s hardly room for anything else. This imagery is reinforced as the sacrifices are “many” (vs. 11).
We read the Scriptures and imagine those poor priests up to their elbows in blood every day. But I’ve heard a rabbi teach that bringing a sacrifice for sin was meant to be a rare occurence, as breaking one of the Ten Commandments was meant to be a rare occurence (you don’t bear false witness against your neighbor every day, do you?)
A multitude of sacrifices were brought, trampling the courts of YHVH, because a multitude of sins were committed, perhaps even flippantly. “Oh well, can it hardly matter if I help myself to my employer’s profits? I’ll just bring a sacrifice, and I’m covered!”
No covenant commitment. No horror at an injustice done. No repentance. And no wonder YHVH declared, “They have become a burden upon Me”! He wasn’t grieved by adhering to the statutes He commanded, but by the hypocrisy behind their misuse.
And before we judge the Israelites, let’s not have the same flippant attitude toward sin, just because Messiah Yeshua, our sacrifice for sin, has been offered once for all (Heb 10:10). Covenant fidelity and true repentance have not passed away.
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