THE RISE AND FALL OF A PEOPLE.

Isaiah 1:21–31 NKJV

How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers. Your silver has become dross, Your wine mixed with water. Your princes are rebellious, And companions of thieves; Everyone loves bribes, And follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, Nor does the cause of the widow come before them. Therefore the Lord says, The Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, “Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries, And take vengeance on My enemies. I will turn My hand against you, And thoroughly purge away your dross, And take away all your alloy. I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” Zion shall be redeemed with justice, And her penitents with righteousness. The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together, And those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed. For they shall be ashamed of the terebinth trees Which you have desired; And you shall be embarrassed because of the gardens Which you have chosen. For you shall be as a terebinth whose leaf fades, And as a garden that has no water. The strong shall be as tinder, And the work of it as a spark; Both will burn together, And no one shall quench them.

I. THE FALL

1. Denial of Truth.

Isaiah 1:21 NKJV

How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers.

Harlotry is common throughout scripture. The reason for this picture is that it represents marriage and God’s relationship with his people.

Here, we see that Jerusalem had forsaken God. As a result, righteousness had departed and murder had taken its place.

Micah 3:1–3 NKJV

And I said: “Hear now, O heads of Jacob, And you rulers of the house of Israel: Is it not for you to know justice? You who hate good and love evil; Who strip the skin from My people, And the flesh from their bones; Who also eat the flesh of My people, Flay their skin from them, Break their bones, And chop them in pieces Like meat for the pot, Like flesh in the caldron.”

2. Acceptance of Sin.

Isaiah 1:22 NKJV

Your silver has become dross, Your wine mixed with water.

Silver becomes dross when it is filled with contaminants. In this condition it is no longer usable and must be discarded.

Water when added to wine will dilute every droplet. Therefore, the entire bottle is contaminated and diluted.

3. Evil Rulers.

Isaiah 1:23 NKJV

Your princes are rebellious, And companions of thieves; Everyone loves bribes, And follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, Nor does the cause of the widow come before them.

II. THE RESTORATION

1. Purification

Isaiah 1:24–25 NKJV

Therefore the Lord says, The Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, “Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries, And take vengeance on My enemies. I will turn My hand against you, And thoroughly purge away your dross, And take away all your alloy.

Malachi 3:3 NKJV

He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the Lord An offering in righteousness.

2. Shame of Sin Restored.

Isaiah 1:29 NKJV

For they shall be ashamed of the terebinth trees Which you have desired; And you shall be embarrassed because of the gardens Which you have chosen.

3. Righteous Leaders Restored.

Isaiah 1:26 NKJV

I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.”