 |  |
Isaiah 1:
The Indictment.
The first verse of this chapter belongs, not to the opening section, but to the whole
book. We learn from this verse that Isaiah's prophecies (or "visions") concern "Judah
and Jerusalem", and that they were seen in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and
Hezekiah. It is probable that this opening chapter describes the condition of the land and
people at a time subsequent to the reign of Uzziah, for we know that Judah was not
subjected to a foreign invasion until the days of Ahaz. The whole of the former portion
of Isaiah seems to be overshadowed by the Assyrian invasion under Sennacherib, and it
seems likely that Isaiah has described the state of the land and people during this time,
and placed it in the forefront of the whole book, because of its special significance. The
invasion under Sennacherib, and the miraculous deliverance from his threatenings, are a
forecast of the last great world power that shall bring about the day of Jacob's trouble,
and the final overthrow of the oppressor.
When dealing with the Book of Deuteronomy, we drew attention to the way in which
the Song of Jehovah's Name (Deut. 32:) seems to be the quarry to which most
subsequent prophets have gone for their material. Among the parallels noted were twelve
instances from Isaiah. We will not repeat what we have already written (see
Volume XXIV, page 82), but it may helpful if we mention again the four parallels with
Isa. 1::
"Hear, O heavens" (Deut. 32: 1; Isa. 1: 2).
"Nourished children" (Deut. 32: 6; Isa. 1: 2).
"Corrupters" (Deut. 32: 5; Isa. 1: 4).
"Sodom" (Deut. 32: 32; Isa. 1: 10).
The Song of Deut. 32: proceeds by a series of stages from the perfect work of the
Lord, down through Israel's failure, and so on to final restoration. In the same way Isaiah
traces the downward path of the chosen people, until grace eventually intervenes.
As we have five sections to review within the confines of a few pages, we must
necessarily pass by much that would be profitable. We shall endeavour, however, to give
prominence to those points which mark the way, so that the reader may be guided in his
own private reading.
The indictment of the people is that they were ungrateful children. In other places we
read of Israel breaking their covenant with the Lord, and disobeying the precepts of the
law. Here, however, we read:
"I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me."
We get a glimpse here of the heart of God as Father, and his feelings towards his
children.