First, read Isaiah 1:4-17. Pay careful attention to the way Isaiah illustrates how horrible the wickedness of Judah (Jerusalem) was. They were a sinful nation who abandoned and despised God. They were a sick body so full of sores that there is no place on the body without sores. They were a desolate land with burned cities, produce eaten by people who were not Jews, and temporary buildings. They were like the people who were (and still are) the symbol of rebellion against God. They went through religious motions and deeds, but their religious acts insulted the God they thought they honored.

Read Isaiah 1:21-23. They were like a prostitute. They were full of injustice, murdering, drinking, and stealing. They were a people who loved bribes and took advantage of the helpless.

Read 3:16-4:1. The women were addicted to a luxurious lifestyle. They attracted attention by the using their head attire and their feet (their ways of being physically sensual). God would exchange their physical beauty for visible sickness. They would become poor captive people who mourned. Instead of being the popularly pursued, they would become pursuers. So many men would die that women would beg the remaining men to marry them--they would share a husband and promise to support themselves if only they could be married.

Now, the contrast. God gave hope to the people who horribly offended Him. Read our text, Isaiah 55:6-11. It will do good to seek God. Repentance will accomplish the seemingly impossible. God will show compassion and abundantly pardon.

Is that the way humans who do not know God do things? Could a person ignorant of God be so horribly offended and wish to provide the offenders hope? Would people ignorant of God and so wicked think and act that way? To be honest, not many people claiming knowledge of God have those thoughts and actions!

The God responsible for their consequences assured them that their repentance would be effective! He Who could no longer endure their rebelliousness brought consequences on them because (1) He wished to redirect their lives and (2) He wished to achieve His purpose. His ultimate purpose had not changed (Genesis 12:3c). The people of Judah changed, but God and His purpose had not changed. God Who wanted to rescue people still wanted to rescue people even though Judah was horribly wicked and a terribly disappointment.

God would achieve His purpose with or without them, but He preferred to achieve His purpose with them. However, it was their choice. Their repentance (turning) must be genuine, but they could repent (turn) in the assurance that God would accept their repentance (turning). They could help God achieve His purpose rather than being a part of forces that opposed God's purpose. It was their choice. God chose them, but would they choose God?

Please remember God's point. God does not think like humans do. God does not act like humans do. Too often in people who are not influenced by God's character and values, mercy engenders arrogance. Being compassionate elevates and focuses on self. "Look what I did for you! You ungrateful person, it is time you now showed me some appreciation. I hope you never forget how indebted to me you are! You owe me, and I hope you never forget it!"

By human reasoning, it was too late for repentance (of any kind--genuine or not) to do any good. By God's reasoning, it was not too late for genuine repentance to "do good." Why? It was not too late because of God's character. The existence of horrible wickedness in the life of a person does not alter God's character. Horrible wickedness does not eliminate compassion and mercy from God's character. Genuine repentance results in divine forgiveness even in the lives of the horribly wicked.

As we continue our study, the issue is not, "Would I do that?" The issue is not, "Would people who do not know God's values do that?" Nor is the issue, "Would people who claim to know God do that?" There is only one issue: "Would God, true to His character, do that?"

When you are tempted to say, "I certainly would not think and act that way!" refuse to justify yourself. Remember, "My ways are not your ways, and My thoughts are not your thoughts."

For Thought and Discussion

1. What challenge is issued to you at the beginning of this lesson?

2. In Isaiah 1:4-17, how did Isaiah illustrate Judah's wickedness?

3. In Isaiah 1:21-23, how was Judah acting like a prostitute toward God?

4. In Isaiah 3:16-4:1, to what were the women addicted?

5. In Isaiah 55:6-11, how did God give hope to those who endured the consequences of past wickedness?

6. Discuss the contrast.

7. The God who was responsible for their consequences assured them what was effective?

8. For what two reasons was God giving them the hope of assurance?

9. What had not changed?

10. What did God continue to want to do?

11. How would God achieve His purpose? What did God prefer?

12. God assured them of what?

13. God chose them. What was the question?

14. What was God's point in our text?

15. When people uninfluenced by God's character show mercy/compassion, what do these attitudes frequently engender?

16. Contrast God's reasoning and human reasoning in matters of repentance.

Link to Teacher's Guide Lesson 4

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David Chadwell & West-Ark Church of Christ