Isaiah Chapter 1 - Part 3: God’s Grace - Mercy offered Next Lesson Isaiah 1: 10-31 - God’s Grace: Mercy Offered - Jeremiah 4:14 Verse 1:10 - Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. Last lesson God likened Jerusalem to Sodom and Gomorrah, so who is he now talking to The priests - the tribe of Levi The tribe of Judah The tribe of Benjamin Verse 1:11a- What was the purpose of all their sacrifices? Hebrews 10:2 remember their sins, Not to pay for sins : Heb 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. Ex 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: Ex 23: 20-33 - obedience to God’s commandments would bring blessing - Israel could not worship without first obeying His law. 1Sa 12:14 If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God. Verse 1:11b - God - The Lord - had no delight in their sacrifices - Why? Verses 1:12 - They had tread His courts - they came before Him with false hearts - Who required to do this abomination - The sad thing was: no one forced them to pollute His temple - Verse 1:13-15 - The Lord told them it was time to stop worshipping Him with vain offerings, sacrifices, oblations, feasts, rituals, ect. Their false worship had become an abomination to Him. Vain or vanity - that which we set our hearts to that has no eternal value - a purposed heart to do that which God will not accept.Judah had purposely defiled God’s Holy City and Temple. Examples of what God desires Psalm 17:3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Obedience to God’s word is a choice one must make, it is something one must be purposed to do. Verses 1:16-18 - Mercy offered - salvation offered - their filthy rag righteousness (64:6) can cleaned up if the change - repent - turn from their wicked ways. Verse 1:19 - the key their being cleaned -be willing and obey Verses 1:20-23 - Restating the condition of His city and people Verses 1:24 - 25 - Judgment will come Verses 1:26-31 God’s promise - Israel will be restored Amoz the father of Isaiah - means strong; robust, steadfast-minded From a primitive root; to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage):--confirm, be courageous (of good courage, stedfastly minded, strong, stronger), establish, fortify, harden, increase, prevail, strengthen (self), make strong (obstinate, speed). Read these verses - God has purposed to do certain things - He is a Father that is steadfast-minded. Isa 14:24 ¶ The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand: Isa 14:26 This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. Isa 14:27 For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? Isa 19:12 Where are they? where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt. Isa 23:9 The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth. Isa 46:11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. The Lord is steadfast-minded. - He will not be moved away from His counsels. Obey and be blessed - sin and be punished - But in spite their sinful ways and their total corruption God will restore Israel. That is the idea of being purposed toward God - steadfast-minded to obey His word and not willing to allow any power on Earth to deter us from His way. This is how we should be. Can we do this - yes. How? 1John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. We will fail sometimes but we will be forgiven and restored if we confess and repent How is this possible? 1John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Israel failed because they thought it was about them sacrificing, they thought that was enough, What they did not realize it was really about them obeying and confessing and repenting and being forgiven- God's Mercy