Focal passage: Isaiah 1:10-20
I remember our kids, when they were young, coming in with words of flattering praise, “Mom, you are so pretty.”
My wife’s response was often, “What did you do?”
The kids had done something they had been told not to do and thought their flattering words of praise would keep them from discipline or accountability.
What they didn’t realize is that our love for them, and responsibility as their parents, demanded that we confront them in their error and hold them accountable for their actions.
The people of Judah were walking in gross disobedience and idolatry. They tried the “flattery” of outward worship activities to appease God, but He would have none of it. Their outward words and rituals of praise and worship could not hide their hearts of willful sin, illustrated through actions of disobedience.
God confronts and disciplines His children (Proverbs 3:12; Hebrews 12:6).
He does this not from anger or frustration, but out of love. He loves us too much to leave us alone in our sin. He confronts us according to the truth of His Word and calls us to repentance.
We come to Christ for salvation through repentance and faith. We continue to walk with Him in the same way, by repentance and faith (Colossians 2:6).