Those who forget, deny, or ignore history are prone to repeat it. Unfortunately, this is especially true in matters of ‘religion’. God’s warnings, judgments, and condemnations are all throughout the Old Testament, but so few take the time to read them. Oh, the stories of Noah, Moses, Joshua, etc are well known, but what about the rest of God’s Word?
Isaiah 1:10-20 Hear the Word of Jehovah, rulers of Sodom; give ear to the Law of our God, people of Gomorrah.
What a comparison! The LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah due to their wickedness. The unbelieving world knows this story, but what is the lesson?
To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me? says Jehovah; I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of he-goats. When you come to appear before Me, who has required this at your hand, to trample My courts?
Do people even take the time to consider how God views their worship?
People go thru the motions. They like their traditions, but not God’s holy statutes and commandments. God deplores vain self-righteous worship.
Bring no more vain sacrifice; incense is an abomination to Me; the new moon and sabbath, the going to meeting; I cannot endure evil and the assembly!
Your new moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; they are a trouble to Me; I am weary to bear them.
And when you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; yea, when you make many prayers, I will not hear; your hands are full of blood.
People often tell others of their prayers to God, but does God hear them? It is clear that most He detests.
Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes; cease to do evil; Iearn to do good; seek judgment, reprove the oppressor. Judge the orphan, plead for the widow.
You need to humbly approach God. You need to turn from your sin. You need to repent to a Holy God. All of these have to be done on God’s terms, not yours.
Come now, and let us reason together, says Jehovah; though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.
God continues to call out to all sinners to come to Him for forgiveness of their sins. It is with reverence and respect and fear that you approach God. He is merciful but He is Almighty God.
If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Jehovah has spoken.
Who is listening?