There is much in Chapter 1 of Isaiah, but a few verses really spoke to my heart.
"Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: “ I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me; The ox knows its owner And the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider.” Alas, sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A brood of evildoers, Children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the LORD, They have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, They have turned away backward."--Isaiah1:2-4
The Lord here sounds like a heartbroken parent. He had nourished and brought up children and they had rebelled against Him. God tells His children that the animals had more sense than they did. He brought the nation of Israel into being and brought them out of Egypt where they were enslaved. He took care of them in the wilderness and brought them into the land He had promised them. He grew them, fed them, made them strong and forgave them when they rebelled. He had shown them His love, grace and mercy and they in response rejected Him. They literally bit the hand that fed them. If you are a parent, you understand what it means to pour your life, your love and your heart into a child. What a heartbreak for a mom and a dad when when the one you have loved, cared for and treasured, rebels and act like they don't even know you. You become nothing to them. What an example, however, our God, our Father, is for these parents. He continually stretches out His hand in mercy and love. Mercy triumphs over judgment. All God's people needed to be was willing.
“ Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “ Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.--Isaiah 1:18-20
"And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
"But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.—Luke 15:20-24
