Isaiah 1:19-21
19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;
Obedience should come out of willingness. We should never obey the Lord out of the fear of punishment. Our obedience should not be driven by factors like to get Lord’s favour or His blessing. We should obey because we love God, then we can deny sins wilfully.
Ps 56:6 “will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good.” When we willingly obey, Lord responds by giving us the best. Best of the Land is for those love God and walk in His ways due to deep commitment.
How sad it will be when son obey forcefully to get the inheritance of the Father. How wonderful it will be when the son denies all evil because of the passionate love he has for his father.
Mr. Henry Varley, the well known evangelist, told D L Moody “The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully consecrated to Him.” Mr. Bewley once asked about D L Moody “Is he out and out for Christ?” Can we answer YES
20 but if you resist and rebel,
Resist (you know you have to do it(confession and obedience) but you are not doing it) and rebel (you know you are not supposed to do(think and do evil) but you are doing it). You keep sinning after a point you get comfortable, but remember Samson (Jud 16:20 “And he knew not that the LORD had departed from him.”)
you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Lord is never changing. Here people resisted and rebelled, Lord proclaimed His judgement; you continue the same way you will be destroyed by sword. Lord confirmed it by saying, this is from Lord’ mouth. Lord is Holy, since there is no unholiness in Him, He will judge sin. Where do we stand? If we are weighed tonight (Dan 6:27 “TEKEL; you are weighed in the balances, and are found wanting” since the king was found wanting, he was killed that night by enemies). Anger of God is the justice shown on sin.
21 See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her— but now murderers!
Once faithful nation has become Idolatrous, once full of justice is full of compromises on all sort of evils. Lord remembers all your good past, but now He is warning of your backsliding. Solomon who wrote 2 psalms, 3 books in Bible, most wise man, when he prayed glory filled the temple, never lost a battle but 1 Kings 11:9 “The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD” What is your primary focus? Lord asked Adam “Where are you?” My dear what will be our answer.