Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"Your hands are full of blood"
Text: Isaiah 1:15
THE PROBLEM THAT WAS IGNORED
The nation of Judah focused on the external features of their religion. The worshippers seemed oblivious of the internal aspect of faith in God.
“Your New Moons and your appointed feasts
My soul hates;
They are a trouble to Me,
I am weary of bearing them.
When you spread out your hands,
I will hide My eyes from you;
Even though you make many prayers,
I will not hear.
Your hands are full of blood.”
Isaiah 1:14-15
1. The external features of religion.
a) These were cited:
i) New moons.
ii) Appointed feasts.
b) Was it wrong to observe these things?
i) The short answer, “No!”
ii) But true religion is never just about keeping the external features of worship.
2. The candid response of the LORD.
a) The way the nation was practising their religion was rejected outright.
b) Three strong expressions were to be noted:
i) The Lord’s soul hated what He was seeing.
ii) Their sacrifices were a trouble to Him.
iii) He is weary of having to observe all these activities.
3. A strong word of admonition.
a) God will hide His eyes from the people who came to the Temple.
b) Though many prayers were made, He will not hear them.
c) The reason was stated candidly: “Your hands are full of blood.”
i) The worshippers were dreadfully sinful.
ii) They were guilty of many sins.
iii) Their sins were so great they were compared with those who had shed blood.
iv) How could they imagine that their worship would be accepted by a holy God?