Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"They did evil before My eyes"
Text: Isaiah 66:4
A SAD DELUSION
Israel had been deluded to think that worship can be done as the people pleased. The ritualistic aspects were followed but the nation did not seem to understand that the sacrifices they made were rejected by the LORD.
“He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man;
He who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog’s neck;
He who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine’s blood;
He who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol.
Just as they have chosen their own ways,
And their soul delights in their abominations,
So will I choose their delusions,
And bring their fears on them;
Because, when I called, no one answered,
When I spoke they did not hear;
But they did evil before My eyes,
And chose that in which I do not delight.”
Isaiah 66:3-4
1. The usual offerings.
a) Sacrificial animals:
i) A bull
ii) A lamb
b) Other offerings:
i) A grain offering
ii) Incense offering
2. How God regarded these things.
a) The killing of a bull was compared to the slaying of a man.
b) The sacrifice of a lamb was likened to the breaking of a dog’s neck.
c) The grain offering was compared to “swine’s blood”.
d) The incense offering was compared to idolatrous worship.
3. Why did God say these things?
a) The people had chosen how they wished to worship God.
b) They delighted in that which was abominable to the LORD.
c) Man cannot choose the way to worship God.
d) God had already given clear instructions how He was to be worshipped (Exodus 21).
4. Delusion
a) Israel was severely deluded.
b) God gave them up to their delusions.
c) They would never be able to overcome their fears.
5. What God desired from Israel.
a) When He calls, Israel must respond.
b) When God speaks, He expects Israel to hear.
c) Israel did that which was evil.
d) The people had chosen the path of evil deliberately.
e) They made choices that were contrary to God’s delight.