Isaiah presents the case against Judah. He uses the epithets Sodom and Gomorrah. It helps to understand this passage if we realize that their sin was inhospitality rather than what seems more convenient to us to be against.
"Don't be like Sodom and Gomorrah," Isaiah tells them that the Lord is saying. "They pretended to worship me, but they neglected to do any true worship. What I require is not parading around in public but rather taking care of those who need care."
What good is our worship if we ignore God's concerns?
The Lord has specific suggestions: rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.
We shouldn't comfort ourselves by saying that we don't sacrifice bulls in our sanctuaries anymore. These warnings are still relevant. What are our churches concerned about? How much time and money are we spending on ourselves and much effort are we putting into seeking what God considers justice?
The Lord gave and gives options: No matter how sinful you have been, you can repent and change. Building a world in which all have justice will result in a world in which you will benefit. Building a world in which many suffer will result in your having to live there too--a place of need and threat and fear.
Psalm 32 contrasts the joy of being forgiven with the pain in consequence with the refusal to admit one's sins:
Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you;
....
You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
No comments:
Post a Comment