Isaiah 1:1-20

A driver who ignores the highway sign "No U-Turn Allowed" risks receiving a traffic citation. In our relationship with God a u-turn is absolutely required. Rebellion against God, manifest in immorality and idolatry, was rampant in Isaiah's time. The "vision" of Isaiah reveals the character of God, His will for us, and the action we must take for a vital relationship with Him. This prophetic word has been likened to a "miniature Bible." The Prophet sounds forth the judgment of God in the first thirty-nine chapters. The final twenty-seven chapters ring with hope. Facing judgment, the Word declares: U-Turn Required.

Turn from Rebellion to the Father (v. 1-9)

Before Isaiah speaks of judgment there is a revelation of God as Father (v. 2). The Father grieves over the rebellion of His children. Desiring our own way we often forget those who "nourished and brought" us up. Even animals recognize their dependence on the hand that feeds them (v. 3). Our quarter horse, grazing on the other side of the pasture, recognizes our vehicle and knows my wife is coming with the oats. "But Israel does not know, my people do not consider."

Some people think the Old Testament reveals only a God of judgment and wrath. It was in the wilderness that Israel discovered "the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son" (Deut. 1:31). The word from Hosea remains true for us, "When Israel was a child, I loved him" (11:1).

Serious consequences come from rebellion (v. 4-9). A broken relationship with God affects the individual, the family, and the nations. Jesus provided the vivid story of the rebellious son (Luke 15) who left his father and ended up dining with pigs. The decision remains - rebellion or relationship. The Father loves us even in our egotistical rebellion and will receive all who turn to Him.

Turn from Religion to Holiness (v. 10-17)

Can personal rebellion be overcome with religious ritual? Isaiah witnessed an abundance of religion and ritual. Sacrifices, incense, Sabbaths, assemblies, and appointed feasts had become "futile" and an "abomination" before God. "Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear" (v. 15). False religion so easily replaces righteousness; holy services quickly substitute for holy living.

A relationship with the Father results in holiness. "As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct" (1 Peter 1: 15). God did not hear the prayers of Isaiah's hearers because "your hands are full of blood" (v. 15). The Psalmist said the one who stands in the holy presence of God must have "clean hands and a pure heart" (Ps. 24:3-4).

Holiness is the practical implementation of God's character in all our life. Holiness does good, seeks justice, rebukes the oppressor, defends the fatherless, and pleads for the widow (v.17), a refrain in Isaiah's prophecy (3:14, 10:2, 56:1). "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27).

U-Turn Required (v. 18-20)

From selfish rebellion and empty religion we are called to make the u-turn of repentance. A holy, loving God invites us, "Come, let us reason together." Turning from destructive sinfulness makes sense; repentance is a reasonable response. It is foolishness to continue in rebellion.

Repentance means we must leave our sin, put it away and "cease to do evil" (v. 16). The u-turn of repentance results in an individual going in a new direction. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Cor. 5:17). Preaching in Guam, I heard a military wife sing a song titled, "I Don't Go There Any More." She testified about the positive changes Christ brought to her life.

A holy, loving Father promises to change us. Once covered with scarlet we can become "white as snow." Good rather than evil awaits everyone who is "willing and obedient."

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