Isaiah 1-5

“Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me ... I cannot bear your worthless assemblies” (1:13). God had miraculously led Abraham’s descendants out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. However, generations later, they were going through the motions of religion while oppressing the poor and seeking their own comfort and wealth (ch 2). The prophet Isaiah admonished them: “Stop doing wrong. Learn to do right, seek justice. Defend the oppressed” (1:17). If not, the Lord would remove “supply and support” (ch 3), and his kingdom would belong to those who truly wanted to “walk in his paths” (2:3).

God’s desire is always our repentance and restoration. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow” (1:18).