Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind - A Father and His Rebellious Sons

A Father and His Rebellious Sons

HE PROVIDED well for his children, as would any loving parent.  For many years he made sure that they were fed, clothed, and sheltered.  When it was necessary, he disciplined them.  But their punishment was never excessive, it was always administered "to the proper degree."  (Jeremiah 30:110  We can only imagine, then, the pain that this loving father feels at having to make the statement:  "Sons I have brought up and raised, but they themselves have revolted against me." -Isaiah 1:2b.

The rebellious sons referred to here are the people of Judah, and the aggrieved father is Jehovah God.  How tragic!  Jehovah has nourished the Judeans and raised them to an elevated position among the nations.  "I went on to clothe you with an embroidered garment and to shoe you with sealskin and to wrap you in fine linen and to cover you with costly material,"  He later reminds them through the prophet Ezekiel.  (Ezekiel 16:10)  Yet, for the most part, the people of Judah do not appreciated what Jehovah has done for them. Instead, they rebel, or revolt.

With good reason, Jehovah prefaces these words regarding his rebellious sons with the statement:  "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for Jehovah himself has spoken." (Isaiah 1:2a) Centuries earlier the heavens and the earth heard, as it were, the Israelites receive explicit warnings regarding the consequences of disobedience. Moses said:  "I do take as witnesses against you today the heavens and the earth, that you will positively perish in a hurry from off the land to which you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of it."  (Deuteronomy 4:26)  Now in Isaiah's day, Jehovah calls upon the invisible heavens and the visible earth to bear witness to Judah's revolt.

The severity of the situation calls for a straight forward approach.  Even in these dire circumstances, however, it is noteworthy -and heartwarming-that Jehovah presents himself to Judah as a loving parent rather than merely the owner who has purchased them.  In effect, Jehovah is entreating his people  to consider the matter from the standpoint of a father who is in anguish over his wayward sons.  Perhaps some parents in Judah can even personally relate to such a predicament and are moved by the analogy. In any event, Jehovah is about to state his cause against Judah. 

Next time: Brute Beasts Know Better

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind