I. Introduction

I believe if we all were to do something good every day, or once a week, seek justice for something and somebody now and again, and help those who are oppressed or marginalized at least once or twice in our lives, the world would resemble God's vision for us. If we intentionally do these things, we would be so much closer to what God has in mind for us. The Bible is filled with calls to God's people to do good, seek justice, and to rescue the oppressed. Let's see what we can learn from the prophet Isaiah in our passage. I suggest we follow the scripture to better understand what message he received from God.

II. Learn to do good, seek justice, and rescue the oppressed.

Isaiah was a prophet of social justice and righteousness. He addressed the social conditions and national policies of his time that enabled injustices to thrive. As a prophet he was involved at a high level of scrutiny of what was going on at the temple, but also in the State of Judah itself. Chapter 1 verse 1 describes the prophetic vision he received concerning Judah and Jerusalem. From verse 2-9 he laid out for them Yahweh's lament about the sinful, rebellious nation they have become, and how they had forsaken their God. From verse 10 onwards, the text describes God's response, which is characterized as being weary of their attitudes and actions. They have now become rulers of Sodom and people of Gomorrah, and spiritually they have become corrupt in the eyes of God. God is tired of their burnt offerings that are meaningless and expressed a weariness about it all. God will not see their hands that are raised in prayer, because they are covered in blood, and God will not listen to their prayers. They must wash themselves and repent from their evil deeds. Isaiah's prophecy goes further than that. Jerusalem will suffer because of their religious failures. They will be destroyed, but God will restore them again. Judah's population will be taken into exile, but a small remnant will return. Their return and new opportunities to repent and heal is a sign of the goodness of God, despite their iniquities. What a scathing rebuke of a nation whom God loved, and carried through so much, and to reach a point where they have become a burden to God. What a prophecy. What a sad picture... How is it that they could turn themselves away from the God of grace and mercy and goodness? To be engaged in evil deeds as described in this book of Isaiah, is so against who God is, and what God expects from this land of Judah. What God still wants from them, is to stop doing wrong, to do what is right and to seek justice.

But through it all, there is a promise of salvation in this prophecy by Isaiah. God will send a future King, a Saviour who will show the land of Israel the life of righteousness and God's mercy and love. God will still forgive them if they repent of their ways. This shows the foundation of this prophecy, that God is so good, and so good to them. These expectations from God are not complicated. They are simple and clear values of love, and respect for all of humanity.

III. Conclusion

The same values and expectations God expressed through the prophecy of Isaiah remain relevant for us today. It would be intriguing to know what God observes and thinks about our world today. We all must examine our own lives and the nations of today must examine how they are treating their people, the people whom God created. The world knows that God is a good and compassionate God. The question is whether this world is willing to align its values and actions with the character and vision of God. We all have many opportunities to do good and to seek justice and to rescue the oppressed in our own lives and communities. As children of God, it is our calling to follow the prophecies of old, but most of all, we have the life and example of Christ, our Saviour to follow and aspire to, and to live by. We are called to repent and to turn to God, so God will not get tired of our ways and see us as a burden and turn away from us. We must be a light in our own homes, in our neighborhoods, and here at church we are called to consistently align our values, our thoughts and actions with that of God. May God help us come together to do good, to seek and do what is right and just and save the oppressed from their suffering. God bless you! Amen.