Restoring Righteousness: Isaiah’s Call to Faithfulness

by Rosemarie Amato

Isaiah 1:24-31, New Revised Standard Version

24 Therefore says the Sovereign, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: Ah, I will pour out my wrath on my enemies, and avenge myself on my foes! 25 I will turn my hand against you; I will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy. 26 And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counsellors as at the beginning. Afterwards you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city. 27 Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness. 28 But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed. 29 For you shall be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen. 30 For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water. 31 The strong shall become like tinder, and their work like a spark; they and their work shall burn together, with no one to quench them.

In these verses, Isaiah uses imagery to describe what happens when we turn away from our one true God and what he has taught us.

Isaiah speaks of idol worship and how the people will eventually feel the shame and embarrassment as the consequences of their decisions become clear. Just as an oak or garden that lacks nourishment becomes withered, so will the lives of those who trust in false gods. The “mighty man” and “his work” represent those who prospered in sin and eventually will be consumed by fire – symbolizing God’s judgement.

We must remain steadfast and clear eyed in our love and loyalty to the only God we’ll ever need. Choose wisely!