v1 VISION
– concerning Judah (praise) and Jerusalem (holy city)
– came over an extended period during the days of 4 kings (Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz & Hezekiah)
Uzziah :: “Jehovah is strength; 10th king around 767bc
Jotham :: “Jehovah is upright; son of Uzziah, 11th king around 740bc; fought the Amorites. the Amorites were one of the 7 whose land was given to Israel. Amorite = “the high one”
Ahaz :: “possessor”; 12th king; son of Jotham; around 735-725bc
Hezekiah :: “Jehovah is strength”; 12th king; 728-715 bc; son of Ahaz. REFORMER of
Ahaz’s idolatry; war with Philistines and Assyrians
v2 THE LORD SPEAKS
> He raised up sons, but they have revolted
> Israel doesnt know or understand
> It is a singful nation
– weighed down with iniquity
– sons of evildoers
– who act corruptly
– who abandoned the LORD
– despised the Holy One of Israel
– They have turned away from Him
v7 DESOLATION
– land is desolute
– cities are burned with fire
– strangers devour your fields
V9 We are like Sodom and Gomorrah except that a few survivors are left.
V11 “I have had enough of burnt offerings of Rams” Rams = “high”
– Male goat offerings – new moon and annual festivals; dedication of temple or tabernacle; sin of a leader
“And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.”
V13 “I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.”
v16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean. Remove the evil of your deeds from my sight. Cease to do evil.”
v17 Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Reprove the ruthless
Defend the orphan,
Plead for the widow.”
?V18 God asks that we reason together. What does that say about Him, inspite of our junk?
v19 Consent & Obey = eating the best of the land.
v20 Refuse & Rebel = devouring by the sword.
v23 THIS IS AMERICA!!!
“Your rulers are rebels
And companions of thieves;
Everyone loves a bribe
And chases after rewards
They do not defend the orphan,
Noe does the widow’s plea come before them.”
v24 JUDGMENT :: “THEREFORE, the Lord God of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel declares,”
– I will be relieved of my adversaries
– And avenge Myself on My foes
– Turn My hand against you
– Burng your junk in the fire
– remove your all alloy
v26 Then God will restore our judges as at the first.
? THE FIRST RESTORATION POINT COMES WITH JUDGES; COUNSELORS ARE SECOND (THE LEGAL SYSTEM IS WHERE GOD WILL START TO HEAL THE NATION)
V31 THE STRONG MAN WILL BECOME TINDER
– in his work also a spark
– thus they shall both burn together
– and there will be none to quench them
REFERENCE MATHEW 12:29 about binding the strong man.
Matt 12:29 :: “or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strongman? And, then he plunders his house.”
MESSAGE:
God raised up children, and they rebelled.
We are a sinful nation, weighed down with iniquity.
We dont care for our poor, the homeless, widows, etc.
There will be judgment and desolation.
Our token sacrifices of showing up at church on Sunday only to do live out a life of sin the rest of the week is a disgrace to God. v13
v17 tells us what He wants us to do.
v18 He pleads with us…”reason together”. This is the heart of a Father that desires that His children think straight and do His will. Reason is not hard line stuff. But, judgment is coming.
The warning: v19-20.
He describes America perfectly in v23.
v24 is judgment
v26 tells us where He will start rebuilding
v31 This is an issue with the demonic, not just people.