Isaiah lived about 750 years before the Common Era and his contemporary prophets were Hosea, Amos and Micah. According to Jewish traditions, he took office after the Earthquake as mentioned in Amos 1:1.
This makes sense for a lot of his remarks about the situation in Judea in those days.
To understand the context, we have to take in consideration that there was abundant prosperity in Judea, pursuit of wanton pleasure, the spread of idolatrous practices and oppression of the poor.
The prophecies are about Isaiah's times but also have a reference to future happenings since the ultimate message of Yahuweh via Isaiah is that Israel shall be restored in the end.
There is therefore a peresh (interpretation) of these prophesies in many cases of Israel's turbulent history and especially at the beginning of the 21st century.
Isa. 1:2-3. Pay attention Heavens listen Earth because Yahuweh speaks. Sons I have made powerfull and caused to grow up and they transgressed against me. knows ox his owner and ass feeding trough his master. Israel not knows, my people not show themselves concerning.
Yahuweh complains that He has made the nation but they turned against His teaching, His Torah. A stupid animal knows his master and who is the one feeding him, but Israel has no notion of this and ignores the need of being looked after.
This was in Isaiah's days, but looking at present day Israel the same applies.
Compare Hosea 2:8; Amos 2:4-8.
Isa.1:4.
This was in Isaiah's days, but looking at present day Israel the same applies.
Compare Hosea 2:8; Amos 2:4-8.
Isa.1:4.
Woe! nation missing the goal people greatly depraved seed doing evil children corrupt departing from Yahuweh they spurn the set apart Israel to be estranged there after.
They mis their purpose, the goal Yahuweh has set for Israel, they spurn the idea that Israel is a nation set apart for yahuweh and became estranged from this notion.
This was the situation in Isaiah's time, but looking at the present status of Israel as a nation as represented by their government and the majority, we can say the same applies now to them.
Isa. 1:5-6 This was the situation in Isaiah's time, but looking at the present status of Israel as a nation as represented by their government and the majority, we can say the same applies now to them.
About what will you be stricken again cause to increase withdrawal all the top to sickness and all the inward parts faint. From sole of the foot and to the head there is not to it wholeness wound and bruise and stripe new not closed up and not be bound up and not softened in ointment.
As we find it done several times in Isaiah, the nation is compared to a person.
Yahuweh says:"What is going to happen again that will bring you further away from me?"
The whole nation is sick, from the head, being the leaders and therefore the inward parts or the people are ailing.There is no unity to the nation and it has new mutilations that are not properly attended to.
That was the nation in Isaiah's days but in our days they are exactly the same. There is no unity among them and the leaders are sickening in their internal quarrels and the population is hurting and being wounded by constant terrorism.
Isa. 1:7. Yahuweh says:"What is going to happen again that will bring you further away from me?"
The whole nation is sick, from the head, being the leaders and therefore the inward parts or the people are ailing.There is no unity to the nation and it has new mutilations that are not properly attended to.
That was the nation in Isaiah's days but in our days they are exactly the same. There is no unity among them and the leaders are sickening in their internal quarrels and the population is hurting and being wounded by constant terrorism.
Your country devastation your cities burning fire your land in front of you strangers devour it and devastation as(it is) overthrown by strangers.
As it was then, so is it now.
Isa. 1:8. And left daughter of Tzion like shelter in vineyard like hut in field of cucumbers like city blockaded.
Look at Israel now! Little patches of land for shelter in what once was the mighty country of king Solomon. They can not get out of their cities without being shot at.
Isa. 1:9. If not Yahuweh Tzevaot preserved alive to us remnant like a few like sodom we would be as gomorrah we to be like.
Isaiah says that they would have been totally destructed if not Yahuweh had preserved a remnant.
Even in the end times it will only be a remnant of Israel that survives. In Zechariah 13:8-9 it tells us that two thirds will perish and the third which is left over shall have to be purified, which means that from that third part only believers shall survive.
Isa. 1:10 Even in the end times it will only be a remnant of Israel that survives. In Zechariah 13:8-9 it tells us that two thirds will perish and the third which is left over shall have to be purified, which means that from that third part only believers shall survive.
Hear word of Yahuweh rulers of sodom listen to teachings our Elohiem people gomorrah!
Isaiah summarized the situation and now, using an insult to an Israelite, he draws their attention to what Yahuweh is telling them.
Isa. 1:11-15. What to me many of your sacrifices says Yahuweh. I have my fill of burnt offering rams and fat fatlings and blood bulls and lambs and rams not I take pleasure in. (12) When you come to appear before me who demand that from your hand to trample my court? (13)Not do again bring gifts of no value, incense disgusting it to me, month and shabbat calling out convocation not be able to endure, wickedness also solemn assembly.(14)Your months and your appointed feasts to hate my feeling, they are to me for burden tiring for me to bear.(15)And when you spread out your hands I hide my eyes from you, also for your many prayers I shall not hear and pay attention to your hand bloods filled.
Blood is not only that what gives live to a being it also represents sin. The plural used here, could refer to many sins, and does not necessarily means that they have taken lives.
All the ordinances of Yahuweh, which they followed with religious seal are not appreciated by Yahuweh. Following Torah and all the mitzvots to the letter has no meaning when there is no real teshuva, which is a total repentance with the willingness to strive against sin.
All the ordinances of Yahuweh, which they followed with religious seal are not appreciated by Yahuweh. Following Torah and all the mitzvots to the letter has no meaning when there is no real teshuva, which is a total repentance with the willingness to strive against sin.
Adhering to Torah in itself does not dissolve or pay for Sin.
This is clear from the foregoing but also confirmed by David in Psalm 51:16-19. Consider also what Samuel said to King Saul in 1Sam. 15:22-23. check also Prov. 15:8; 17:1; 21:27; Eccl.5:1; Hosea 6:6. Compare this also with Jer. 6:16-20 and it becomes clear that the message from Yahuweh in the Tanakh is:
"When you do not listen to my word and not walk in my ways then your sacrifices and feasts are not pleasing to me!"Isa. 1:16-17.
Wash away to cleanse remove evil of your deeds from before my eyes, leave off the evil. Learn to do good, resort to justice, set right the oppressor, govern orphan, take care of widow.
Yahuweh tells them to do away with evil and be just and bring the oppressors to order. Provide for and lead the orphan and take care of widows. Instead of taking care of these widows and orphan they were either exploited or ignored and the poor were oppressed and exploited by the well to do.
Although the Jews nowadays seem to be better in this regard then many christian nations, they still are not totally complying with this, especially if we look at the plight of the Messianic Jews.
Although the Jews nowadays seem to be better in this regard then many christian nations, they still are not totally complying with this, especially if we look at the plight of the Messianic Jews.
There is no distinction made in the Tanakh about which type of poor, orphan or widow we should look after.
Isa. 1:18"You have a go now and reason together!" says Yahuweh. "If are the sins of you as scarlet as snow they become white. If they show red like scarlet worm, like whiteness they be!"
Blood stands for sin, blood is red but the red of sin can be made pure white.
Reason together could also be interpreted as, 'convince each other'
"Come now!" as most translations have it, is not completely correct. The Hebrew word used is associated with going somewhere. They do not have to come because Yahuweh is going to reason with them, no they have a go to get together and convince each other about sin and repentance.
Isa. 1:19-20. Reason together could also be interpreted as, 'convince each other'
"Come now!" as most translations have it, is not completely correct. The Hebrew word used is associated with going somewhere. They do not have to come because Yahuweh is going to reason with them, no they have a go to get together and convince each other about sin and repentance.
"When you are willing and you give heed, good of the land you to eat. But when you refuse and be disobedient sword to devour you for the mouth of Yahuweh has spoken!"
This was not the first or the only warning Israel was and is given, Compare this with Deuteronomy 11 & 28. and the many warnings given via the prophets.
The context of the next verses indicate that again not all of them did heed the warning and we learn that Yahuweh shall act and destroy the evil ones.
Isa. 1:21-23. The context of the next verses indicate that again not all of them did heed the warning and we learn that Yahuweh shall act and destroy the evil ones.
Where now, she to be according to a harlot. city faithful completely just, righteous was abiding in her but now murderers. (22) Your silver being as dross, your wine weakened by water. (23) Your leaders stubborn ones and friends of thieves. Everyone loves a present and pursue rewards, orphan not governed (taken care off) and strive (troubles) widow not to come to them.
Harlotry in the Tanakh refers to paganism, which is the worship of other gods instead of Yahuweh. It was not a nice picture that Isaiah shows about Yerushalaim in his days, but is there much difference today?
The leaders do not look to Yahuweh for help and guidance but to others and this is harlotry. Bribes and rewards have also been in the news about their leaders.
Isa. 1:24. The leaders do not look to Yahuweh for help and guidance but to others and this is harlotry. Bribes and rewards have also been in the news about their leaders.
Therefore declares the Lord Yahuweh Tzebaoth Mighty One of Yisrael,"Oh I suffer grieve for my distress but I avenge myself because of my enemies."
This is different from most translations, but it is closer to the original hebrew meaning and it fits the context.
Yahuweh grieves because Israel's behaviour is distressing to Him. Yahuweh's enemies gloat over this and that is why Yahuweh is going to avenge Himself.
Isa.1:25. Yahuweh grieves because Israel's behaviour is distressing to Him. Yahuweh's enemies gloat over this and that is why Yahuweh is going to avenge Himself.
Then I bring back my hand on you and refine as pure your dross and turn aside all your alloy.
"On You," is in the feminine plural, which indicate the nation Israel.
They are not going back by themselves and therefore Yahuweh Himself is going to refine and purify them. They are not pure in their relationship to Yahuweh. There is an alloy, their worship is mixed with selfishness and paganism. Yahuweh is going to purify them, not because they deserve it, but because Yahuweh is going to show His adversaries that no one is going to thwart His plans. Israel is a main part of His plan.
This purification has not happened yet, therefore it applies also to the nation to day and up to the time of the purification. Compare this with Zech. 13:9 & Mal.3:2.
Isa. 1:26.They are not going back by themselves and therefore Yahuweh Himself is going to refine and purify them. They are not pure in their relationship to Yahuweh. There is an alloy, their worship is mixed with selfishness and paganism. Yahuweh is going to purify them, not because they deserve it, but because Yahuweh is going to show His adversaries that no one is going to thwart His plans. Israel is a main part of His plan.
This purification has not happened yet, therefore it applies also to the nation to day and up to the time of the purification. Compare this with Zech. 13:9 & Mal.3:2.
Then I bring back your judge like before and your councilor as in the beginning. After this to be called to you city the righteous town to be faithful.
This also has not happened from the time of Isaiah up till now.
Isa.1:27 Tziyon in justice to be ransomed and to turn back in righteousness.
At the present Zionism is, and unrighteously so, far from popular in our world, but it shall be restored.
Isa. 1:28.And crushing rebellious and sinners they together and the ones departing from Yahuweh be finished.
Of course, there will be no place for them in a righteous environment.
Isa. 1:29. because they to feel shame because of pillar you desired and they be ashamed because of the gardens which you to choose.
Pillars or trees in special cultivated gardens were used for pagan rites, especially associated with sexual fertility rites.
Isa. 1:30. Because they shall be like terebinth whither and fall her leaf and as garden with no water to her.
Like the objects of their adoration will not last, they shall not last.
Isa. 1:31. And to be the strong as a strand of flax and his doing as a spark and they start burning the two of them together and there is not from to quench.
Their own doings will burn them up
This chapter is an preamble to the restoration message in the next chapter.
It shows that Israel then and also now, is urged by Yahuweh to come together and reason about their behaviour and be repentant.
However, only a remnant shall be purified, not by their own doings but by the works of Yahuweh.
Those that still resist the purifying shall be destroyed, because in a righteous Zion there is no place for them.
The message for us to day is that Israel is in Peril, because of its own behaviour. But the consolation for us and the well willing people in israel is that Yahuweh shall restore Israel.
The restoration however, will be painfully and troublesome for Israel.