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Isaiah 1:2-6

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

2. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. 3. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: [but] Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. 4. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. 5. Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 6. From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness in it; [but] wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

Isaiah 1:2-6 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Isaiah 1:2

Theological / Devotional

Hear, O heavens. See on Deut. 32:1; cf. Micah 6:1. Isaiah’s first discourse opens with an indictment of the professed people of God. Their utter failure to appreciate and profit by the unprecedented opportunities afforded them as a nation is amazing beyond words. As it were, Isaiah calls upon the inhabitants of heaven to witness the extraordinary spectacle — a literary device similar in purpose to that of Joel (ch. 1:2, 3), designed to impress the dull senses of the people with the enormity of their transgression.

The inhabitants of other worlds are acquainted with God’s law and know of the rebellion of the inhabitants of this world against Heaven. They understand the plan of salvation and know of the opportunities granted to Israel as the chosen people of God. As it were, God calls upon them as witnesses to the astounding situation among those for whom He has done so much and who have been so utterly unmindful of Him. Before the universe the rebellious people of God stand guilty, and God is justified in the course He is about to take against the rebels.

I have nourished. The relationship between God and His people has been that of father and son. Everything a father could do for his children, God has done for His people. Being the recipients of His fatherly care, God’s people should have accepted the responsibilities of sonship along with its privileges.

Rebelled. They renounced the authority of their Father in heaven and ignored the requirements He made of them.

By SdaBc