Part 2’s passage is found in the first chapter of the book of Isaiah.
At first glance, verses 11-14 reveal an angry God, one who might even be viewed as disgusted with His people. But don’t misread the text – God is not so much angry, rather He is disappointed.
He’s disappointed with those who pray and offer sacrifices in vain, with those who offer atonements for their sins with no intentions of actually turning away from them.
Verse 15 starts with, “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!”
We pick up verse 16, “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.”
God is interested in more than the act of atonement. God is interested in mending the relationship with His children that is broken by the sins we commit.
He doesn’t just want us to keep apologizing over and over for the same offenses; He wants us to make a conscious effort to stop committing those sins. Even more than that, He wants us to start helping others. He wants us to serve Him by serving others. He wants us to love Him by loving those around us. If we do this, He makes this promise: “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land… (v.19)
In what areas of your life do you need to stop offering atonement for sins you haven’t intentionally tried to stop committing?
How can you reach out to others, to the oppressed and the fallen?
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