NOTES for Isa 1:1-31

This is the beginning of the book of the prophet Isaiah. Here the task of every prophecy becomes very clear: in a situation where people are losing all spiritual and moral bearings, God through His prophets restores the true understanding of righteousness.

So, first: wash yourselves, make yourselves clean. To do this we must agree that we are unclean, acknowledge our failure and sinfulness. And then we must stop doing evil, remove evil deeds "from before God's eyes," that is, remove them from life altogether, because God sees everything. And after that we must do good, while the criterion of this good's authenticity is selflessness. To save a slave, to defend an orphan and a widow, means doing something good for the weakest, poorest, and most powerless people in that world, those from whom one could expect no reward for a good deed. Selflessness is a sign of mercy and sacrificial love, so dear to God's heart.

Of course, by itself this prophetic call does not give a person the strength to live according to these guidelines. It only awakens the desire for such a life, while the possibility of the fullness of righteousness is opened in the New Testament with Christ.