(a) What was God's message to the people of Israel through Isaiah when they offended Him?
(b) In which two ways are these issues still prevalent in your society?
(a) Isaiah called upon the rulers and the people of Jerusalem, whom he referred to as Sodom and Gomorrah to listened to the words of God/teaching of God. He wondered why they should continue to make (their multitude of) sacrifices when God had become tired of their burnt offerings and fats of well-fed beasts and their pretentious appearances in God's courts have become an abomination to God who had no need of their offerings and who hated their new moons sabbaths, and other religious feasts because they were tainted with all sorts of immorality. When they spread their hands in prayer, God would turn away his eyes and He would not listen because they were full of blood.
If, however, they.must appease the anger of God, they must wash themselves clean by removing the evil in their actions. They should learn to do good, seek justice, stop oppression, defend the fatherless and plead for the widows. Thereafter, they should respond positively to God's invitation to dialogue with him so that even if their sins were scarlet, they would be as snow; though red like crimson, they would be like wool. If they were willing and obedient, they would eat the good of the land but if they should rebel, they would be devoured by the sword.
(b) The ways these issues are still prevalent in our society today are:
(i) Empty sacrifices: People still offer empty sacrifices to God, their offerings are not pure.
(ii) Corrupt courts/judiciary: There is no justice, the judges use their position to enrich their pockets and victimize the common people
(iii) Observance of rituals: People still cling to the belief that they can appease their false gods through rituals rather than serving the real God according to the scripture.
(iv) Moral uncleanliness/ immorality: There is moral decadence especially among our youth. Their mode of dressing, expression, taste and actions show negligence and lack of dedication to the right path.
(v) Oppression of the weak/poor: The disparity between the rich and the poor is so obvious that the rich become richer while the poor remain their tools. The rich become oppressors and fail to assist the poor.
(vi) Ritual murder: Cases of ritual murder occur daily in our society. Killing of innocent people, using of private parts of people for rituals are common in our society today.
(vii) External show of religion rather than inner spirituality: Hypocrisy has taken over. The rich donate where they will be praised while they find it difficult to propagate the message of God.
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