If we could sum up the book of Isaiah in three words, here they are:
Justice. Comfort. Hope.
And we get all of that in these chapters today.
God’s people are saturated with sin. Soaked to the bone with it. Stained in their souls with it. This is bad news. And there are consequences.
So God acts. Every human action fails. Every human role and occupation fails. Sin upsets the entire social order. Human leadership buckles and falls apart. And the reason?
Because their speech and their deeds are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence.
Speech and deeds.
Notice, nothing to do with what the people choose to believe or not believe.
Maybe in our day and we age we put too much weight in believing the correct things about God. Certainly, believing in God matters, and discerning true doctrine matters, but maybe it’s not the most important thing. It’s not the only thing.
Isaiah suggests that the presence of God is disrespected by words and deeds.
Words and deeds.
Do we take the presence of God for granted? In our work? In our play? When we drive our cars? When we brush our teeth? Sitting in class? Eating lunch with our friends? Holding hands with our loved one?
Words and deeds. By our words and deeds we make God look good. By our words and deeds we make God look bad.
Because we are made in the Image of God, we are made to make God look good. Speaking and acting otherwise is like pouring Red Bull in your car’s gas tank. It doesn’t work. And bad things happen when you try it.
Don’t forget that while chapter 3 lays out God’s justice for sin, that’s not the end of the story. Chapter 4 talks about the hope of God’s presence with his people.
How are you respecting God with your words and deeds today?
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