Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"Called by the name of Israel"
Text: Isaiah 48:1
A CANDID WORD TO ISRAEL
The LORD had to speak to Israel candidly. The sinful ways of the people had to be addressed firmly.
“Hear this, O house of Jacob,
Who are called by the name of Israel,
And have come forth from the wellsprings of Judah;
Who swear by the name of the LORD,
And make mention of the God of Israel,
But not in truth or in righteousness;
For they call themselves after the holy city,
And lean on the God of Israel;
The LORD of hosts is His name.”
Isaiah 48:1-2
1. Going back in history.
a) The name “Jacob” was given when he was born.
i) It was a name given because it described the baby’s action of grabbing his twin brother’s heel.
ii) It was a name that did not have a good connotation.
b) God was the one who blessed him with a new name, “Israel”.
i) It was a good name.
ii) It signified a significant and positive change.
2. The growth of Israel.
a) Judah became “a well spring”.
b) From Judah came the line of the Davidic kings.
3. The people of Judah learned.
a) To take oaths in the name of the LORD.
b) To make mention of the God of Israel.
c) Sadly, these were done “formally”.
d) These were not done “in truth”.
e) Not “in righteousness”.
4. The people.
a) They speak in association of “the holy city” (Jerusalem).
b) They also speak of “leaning on the God of Israel”.
c) They speak of knowing the name of God: “The LORD of hosts”.
d) The problem was that none of the above were done sincerely!