Listen Carefully

Written by Jay Hartwell

Isaiah 1:4
Ah, sinful Nation,
a people loaded with guilt,
a brood of evildoers,
children given to corruption!

Isaiah 1:11-14
"The multitude of sacrifices --
what are they to me?" says the Lord.
"I have more than enough of brunt offering,
of rams and the fat of fattened animals;
I have no pleasure
in the blood of the bulls and lambs and goats.
When you come to appear before me,
who has asked this of you,
this trampling of my courts?
Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations --
I cannot bear your evil assemblies.
Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts
my souls hates.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them

Isaiah 1:17
Seek justic,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.

Thoughts:
Children given to corruption! Anyone who can even think of such acts are brood evildoers. And we who allow it to happen are just as guilty. Make it a point to seek justic, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. This is how we are to live our lives, being careful not to fall in the ways of simply religious duty or sinful pride or expectant graditude.

We need to break out of this comfort lifestyle and reach out to those who are less fortunate. To who much is given, much is required. The requirement will come naturally if we only open our eyes and minds to see the evil in this world. Not only to see it but to completely understand it and not to forget it.