Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"Who sit among the graves"
Text: Isaiah 65:4
REBELLIOUS ISRAEL
Israel was gravely contrasted with the Gentiles. The latter had worshipped idols but were now turning to the LORD. Israel had turned its back on God and fervently followed idolatrous practices.
“A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face;
Who sacrifice in gardens,
And burn incense on altars of brick;
Who sit among the graves,
And spend the night in the tombs;
Who eat swine’s flesh,
And the broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
Who say, ‘Keep to yourself,
Do not come near me,
For I am holier than you!’
These are smoke in My nostrils,
A fire that burns all the day.”
Isaiah 65:3-5
1. Idolatrous practices of Israel.
a) The nation continued to provoke the LORD with its sinful ways.
b) Their idolatrous practices were noted:
i) They sacrificed to idols even in the gardens.
ii) They made altars of bricks to offer incense to the idols.
iii) They went to gravesides and tombs and stayed there all night.
iv) They disregarded Israel’s dietary laws concerning eating unclean animals.
v) They ate broth of abominable (unclean) things.
2. The people became very self-righteous.
a) They saw themselves as holy.
b) They rejected any contact with people they considered unholy.
c) They mistreated people badly and thus were socially isolated from many.
3. How God regarded Israel then.
a) Israel was like irritating smoke to the nostrils.
b) It was like a fire that burned and gave out smoke that was offensive.
c) Israel’s ways were an abomination to the LORD.