Isaiah 1: The Assyrians are Knocking, Purifying Fir -- 2019/09/13

Rev. Scott Adle, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Illinois, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Isaiah 1. Like Daniel, the prophet Isaiah saw kings come and go. His first chapter begins by looking at the destruction experienced under Hezekiah, when the Assyrians destroyed much of Judah and nearly captured the city of Jerusalem. Isaiah declares that this destruction is punishment for Judah’s greed and indifference, their corruption and lust, their hypocrisy and idolatry. They lift up hands of prayer, but their “hands are full of blood.” We too are condemned by Isaiah’s words. Has our society looked after the most vulnerable? Have we given our civic duties our full attention? Have we put God first, or have we put Him alongside a long list of other hobbies and memberships? We must repent as a society and “learn to do good.” And ultimately, the stain of sin is only removed by the blood of Jesus Christ.