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by Samuel Bak
OT00443B1 New Brunswick Theological Seminary
Memorial
by Samuel Bak
The prophet has called Israel to repentence and righteousness for their sinful attitudes and behaviors. God does not want offerings and rituals done by ogligation from a people who are inherently sinful and treat the "other" unjustly. To come before the Lord and pray and then consort to abuse and disregard for one's neighbor is abhorrent to the Lord.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1 (Ken and Carla)
ReplyDeleteIsaiah whose name means “Salvation” brings a calling, which perhaps parallels the message found in the Ten Commandments. Within his proclamation there is not only a call for repentance and relationship but one of righteous living.
Isaiah message was for the people to do good and stop the violence, he proposed a new reality that included doing good without murder and vain worship, standing up for what is right.
In verse 15 of the text Isaiah express to the people that God sees them as unworthy of His acceptance because they are not looking out for the "other". Verse 23 talks about the lack of Justice they show for the less fortunate. God is angered becauae the Isrealites are not keeping the commandments that require them to love their neighbor and care for them.
ReplyDeleteIn verse 17 it talks about our broken relationship with the "other" (oppressed, orphan, widow) therefore "learn to do good; seek justice" (Isaiah 1:17)
ReplyDeleteAdultery Group
In their acts of futile offerings and empty festivals, Israel has turned away from the oppressed, the orphan and the widow's cause among them and the warning given in Isaiah is to do justice or destruction will come to Israel. I sense that because their focus has been removed from seeking justice and serving the alien in their midst, community is crumbling (or will soon begin to crumble)--children are rebelling against the parent doing evil, empty rituals and festivals offend YHWH and gifts & bribes abound. Justice has been lost.
ReplyDeleteLooking back at Chalice Introduction to the Old Testament edited by Steussy (pg 141) “Isaiah portrays a God, who is deeply invested in the lives of the people he has created. God experiences great anger and anguish when disappointed by his chosen people.” The same people whom He has brought out of and idyllic nation (Egypt, this land was not only enslaved the Israelite physically but they themselves were enslaved to the worship of their gods spiritually.) this is the false practice Jehovah had brought them out of. Isaiah is saying God has redeemed you from this enslavement but you have chosen to return to that which I have brought you out of. He calls them to repent from their Idol worship, to turn back to a God who hears and sees.
ReplyDeleteThe prophet Isaiah is calling the people of Israel to repent from their Idol worship, to turn back to him the true God who brought them out of slavery.
The Coveting Group (Valerie and Kendra)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteProphet had a sensitivity to evil. And concern with ethics, that is God’s system of conduct and moral judgement. He has to present God’s view of the world in contrast with a fallen view. Over time when rejected and ignored it was possible to become calloused and discouraged. The prophet challenged the religious institutions of his day. Sadly religion is a system which more frequently than any other interferes with men’s relationship with God.
ReplyDeleteIn Isaiah 1, Israelites bring sacrifices (v11), but their hands are full of blood (v15). They had turned from the LORD in their hearts and were merely going through the forms. This is an abomination to the LORD. Also another related issue of the great commandments given from Jesus, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Isaiah also expresses himself in similar manner, “Learn to do well, seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.(v17).
Q ( Quentin & Danielle )
ReplyDeleteGod required a sanctified life not rituals for the children of Israel. Also love for one’s neighbor, this love was to be shown in their religious behavior
Isaiah is concerned with both the “right” worship of God and with the “right” treatment of each other. Isaiah is disheartened that the Israelites are outwarding “going through the motions” of proper worship but in their hearts, they are murdering each other with their thoughts and deeds. Isaiah is calling the people to adjust their attitudes and their deeds to truly live justly. His call to repentance and justice parallels the Decalogue, since the Decalogue provides guidance on how to be in “right” relationship with both God and man.
ReplyDelete