QT 10/02/2025 Mon. Isaiah 1. Denunciation of sin. Appeal to u-turn. Promise of better outcomes. 谴责罪恶, 呼吁回头, 承诺更好的结果.
QT 10/02/2025 Mon. Isaiah 1. Denunciation of sin. Appeal to u-turn. Promise of better outcomes.
READ http://www.esvbible.org/isaiah1
Firstly, during Isaiah's time of about 700BC, he spoke into the condition of God's people then (1:2–9). Isaiah called upon the earth and heavens to be witnesses in a "court case" against God's people, for the unfaithfulness of those who had previously agreed to commit to the LORD (1:2). Basically, those who distanced themselves from the LORD were like children that the LORD had brought up but rebelled. Those of us who experienced rebellion from our own students, trainees or children know how painful and helpless this can sometimes be.
REFLECTION (1): Self check if we belong to the category of those who have forgotten the owner, the master, The LORD? Whose voice, or what particular activity has become the most powerful magnet that draws your soul, time and resources more than others?
Secondly, Isaiah spoke of the emptiness of following false gods (1:10–17). They had participated in worship rites, but their hearts were not with The LORD. The LORD saw through their "multitude of your sacrifices?" (1:11).
REFLECTION (2): Before The LORD concludes "I have had enough" (1:11), would His people renew their hearts to worship the LORD sincerely?
Thirdly, Isaiah appealed to them to make a U-turn and depart from a sinful lifestyle (1:18–20). This was based on reasoning, not personal liking nor interests alone (1:18). In fact, repentance reaps multiple personal benefits. We see the promises of better outcomes. REFLECTION (3): The benefits of obedience always outweighed the costs of disobedience in the long run, don't you agree?
Fourth, Isaiah announced doom for the unrepentant city (1:21–26). He did not mince his words as he described their current situation then (whore, murderers, dross, rebels and thieves). The fate of those who continued to reject The LORD (1:27–31) was nothing less than severe.
At a time of severe climate change, floods in one part of the world, yet big fires at other parts of the world, the warnings of Isaiah for failure to act is ominous:
Isaiah 1:30–31
[30] For you shall be like an oak
whose leaf withers,
and like a garden without water.
[31] And the strong shall become tinder,
and his work a spark,
and both of them shall burn together,
with none to quench them. (ESV)
APPLICATION: Regardless of your past experiences (whether positive or negative) with work, family, friends or brothers and sisters, the message of Isaiah shouts out to readers to robustly examine their lives, to check if they would win or lose this lawsuit if the LORD chose to start a claim today!
QT 10/02/2025 星期一. 以赛亚书 1. 谴责罪恶, 呼吁回头, 承诺更好的结果.
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/isa/1
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah1&version=CUVS
首先，在公元前 700 年左右以赛亚的时代，他谈到了上帝子民当时的状况（1:2-9）。以赛亚呼吁天地在针对上帝子民的 “法庭案件 ”中充当证人，因为那些曾同意委身于耶和华的人不忠实（1：2）。基本上，那些与耶和华疏远的人就像耶和华养育的孩子，但却悖逆了耶和华。我们这些经历过自己的学生、受训者或孩子叛逆的人都知道，这有时是多么痛苦和无助。
反思 (1）： 自我检查一下，我们是否属于那种忘记了主人，即耶和华的人？是谁的声音，或者是什么特别的活动成了吸引你的灵魂、时间和资源的最强大的磁石？
其次，以赛亚谈到了追随假神的空虚（1:10-17）。他们参与了敬拜仪式，但他们的心不在耶和华那里。耶和华看透了他们的 “你们所献的许多祭物”（1：11）。
反思（2）： 在耶和华下结论说 “我已经够了... 我都不喜悦”（1:11）之前，祂的子民是否会更新他们的心，真诚地敬拜耶和华？
第三，以赛亚呼吁他们回转，离开罪恶的生活方式 （1：18-20）。这是有理有据的，而不仅仅是个人喜好或利益（1:18）。事实上，悔改会给个人带来多重益处。我们看到了取得更好成果的希望。反思（3）： 从长远来看，顺从的好处总是大于不顺从的代价，你同意吗？
第四，以赛亚宣布了不悔改之城的末日（1:21-26）。他毫不讳言地描述了他们当时的处境（妓女、杀人犯、渣滓、叛逆者和盗贼）。那些继续拒绝耶和华的人的命运（1：27-31）是非常严峻的。
在气候变化严重、世界一部分地区洪水泛滥、另一部分地区大火肆虐的今天，以赛亚对不采取行动的人发出的警告是不祥的：
以赛亚书 1:30-31 因为你们必如叶子枯干的橡树，好像无水浇灌的园子。31 有权势的必如麻瓤，他的工作，好像火星，都要一同焚毁，无人扑灭。
应用：无论你过去在工作、家庭、朋友或弟兄姊妹方面有怎样的经历（无论是正面的还是负面的），以赛亚书的信息都在大声疾呼，要求读者们仔细检查自己的生活，看看如果耶和华今天选择发起诉讼，他们是会赢得这场官司还是会输掉这场官司！
