Scripture: Isaiah 1:2
Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.
Thought for the Day: The book of Isaiah doesn’t start out in the usual manner of a prophetic book where we would read the call story of the prophet. Instead, we are immediately immersed in all the troubles of Judah and its people. The reader clearly understands why someone (like an Isaiah) is needed. In verse 2, the author uses legal terminology to level charges against the people. The whole cosmos has been invited to hear these charges and to play jury in this divine courtroom. It is not a pretty scene from the perspective of the defendant, for it is basically an open and shut case. Not to make anyone feel guilty, but what kind of charges might God be leveling against us – as individuals, community, nation and world. The people of Judah were charged with living a faith that seemed to neglect the poor and hungry, the widow and orphan. How might such a divine court case be happening right now with charges being leveled against us? Thank goodness we are not the judge or jury, and even more importantly, thank goodness the true judge is gracious and forgiving. However, may such mercy never become an excuse in our lives.
Prayer: O Gracious God, may I hear the charges against me and know that you do so with the desire to see me change. Amen.
