1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.
7 Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
8 And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.
9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
10 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
21 How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.
22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:
23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
24 Therefore saith the LORD, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:
25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
28 And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.
30 For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.
31 And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.
The book of Isaiah is one of the most well-known and influential books in the Old Testament of the Bible. It is a prophetic book, believed to have been written by the prophet Isaiah himself, and is divided into 66 chapters. The first chapter of the book of Isaiah sets the tone for the rest of the book, introducing the major themes and messages that are present throughout. This essay will provide a summary of the first chapter of the book of Isaiah in the KJV Holy Bible and explore the meaning and significance of its themes.
To fully understand the first chapter of Isaiah, it is important to consider the historical context in which it was written. The book of Isaiah was written during a tumultuous time in the history of Israel, around the 8th century BC. The nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms, Israel in the north and Judah in the south. During this time, both kingdoms were facing political and moral corruption, with many turning away from God and practicing idolatry. The prophet Isaiah was called by God to deliver a message of warning and hope to the people of Israel.
The first chapter of Isaiah begins with a message of judgment from God towards the people of Israel. God addresses the people as "a sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity" (Isaiah 1:4). He accuses them of rebelling against Him and turning away from His laws. The people of Israel had become corrupt and were no longer following God's commandments. This message of judgment serves as a warning to the people, reminding them of the consequences of their actions and calling them to repentance.
God goes on to describe the state of Israel, using vivid imagery to illustrate their spiritual condition. He compares them to a sick body, covered in wounds and bruises, in need of healing (Isaiah 1:5-6). This imagery emphasizes the severity of their spiritual sickness and highlights the need for repentance and restoration.
Despite the message of judgment, God offers the people of Israel a chance to turn back to Him. He calls them to repentance, saying "Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow." (Isaiah 1:16-17). God desires for His people to turn away from their sinful ways and return to Him, promising forgiveness and restoration if they do so.
God also warns the people of the consequences of their actions if they choose not to repent. He tells them that their cities will be destroyed and that they will be left desolate (Isaiah 1:7-9). This serves as a reminder that God's judgment is just and that there are consequences for disobedience. However, even in the midst of judgment, God offers a glimmer of hope, promising that a remnant will be saved (Isaiah 1:9).
In the first chapter of Isaiah, God also addresses the issue of sacrifices. The people of Israel were continuing to offer sacrifices to God, but their hearts were not in it. They were merely going through the motions without true repentance and obedience. God tells them, "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats" (Isaiah 1:11). This serves as a reminder that true worship and sacrifice must come from a heart that is truly repentant and obedient to God.
In the midst of judgment and warning, God offers a promise of restoration to the people of Israel. He tells them, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18). This promise serves as a reminder of God's mercy and grace, and His desire to restore His people to a right relationship with Him.
God also promises to purify the people of Israel, removing the wicked and unfaithful from among them (Isaiah 1:25). This promise foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, who would ultimately purify and redeem all who believe in Him.
In conclusion, the first chapter of the book of Isaiah sets the stage for the rest of the book, introducing the major themes of judgment, repentance, sacrifice, and restoration. It serves as a reminder of God's justice and mercy, and His desire for His people to turn away from their sinful ways and return to Him. The first chapter of Isaiah also foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, who would ultimately fulfill God's promise of restoration and redemption for all who believe in Him.
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