God Expects
Isaiah 58:1–12
True State (1–5)
Turning from the sections on the suffering servant, in this section, Isaiah confronts the people of Israel regarding their religious practices.
The people of Israel were performing many religious rituals for God to hear their prayers. However, their rituals were empty, devoid of any true spiritual purpose or function.
They were fasting but not with the proper attitude in their hearts. They were mistreating their fellow Israelites, exploiting their employees and fighting with each other. The people were then upset that God didn’t hear their prayers. What was the point of performing all these religious practices if God wouldn’t listen to them?
Unfortunately, Christians today can be very similar to the Israelites in Jesus’ day.
God is not beholden to us based on our external actions. God looks at the heart and if we do our actions for the wrong motive, God knows and judges accordingly. How then are we supposed to live and think?
A common theme in the Gospels is Jesus condemning the religious people for doing acts for the wrong reason. As Christians, we do what is right not because we want something from God but because it shows our belief and trust in Jesus. We are to have compassion and serve God because we love Him, not because we can receive things from Him.
Many people today think if they attend church regularly and tithe that God in some way will bless them with prosperity and health. Then they are surprised when things don’t work out the way they want them to. This reveals an improper motivation and treats God as if He is a genie who owes us. This is a mischaracterization of God and the gospel.
True Worship (6–10)
Here God tells the Israelites what He expects of them. Instead of performing empty rituals, do what God has commanded. Help the poor by giving them food and clothing; take care of your own family; help those who have been mistreated. These are actions that please God. Were the Israelites to do these things, God would hear their prayers.
The key for Christians today then is to do what God commands. One way the world knows we are Christians is how we care for one another. The church should take care of her people, and Christians should take care of their families. If we don’t do this, it shows that we do not take our beliefs seriously.
In modern America, people are less and less likely to interact with others, choosing to remain in isolation from each other. The lack of fellowship is becoming a fact in American life and according to studies, it is leading to an increase in loneliness.
In this environment, Christians can represent the Church well by showing the world what it is like to live in harmony with one another because of our love for Christ (see John 13:35).
True Satisfaction (11–12)
Isaiah points out that if the Israelites did what they were commanded, things would go well with them and they would be satisfied. Of course, the same applies to us today.
However, we must not think that “satisfaction” means getting what we want. Sometimes Christians think true obedience with the proper attitude leads to us getting what we want. God never promises to give us what we want apart from wanting God’s will. Christians are supposed to pray according to God’s will and God will give us what we need.
What we need is really what is to our benefit, even if it is not what we want. God knows what is best for us, even if it seems unpleasant.
Paul sought to do God’s will and ended up in prison for it, eventually being executed. He was not given a nice house and lots of money. Following Christ led him to death, but it was God’s will.
We must remove from our mind the idea that God’s will somehow means physical blessings. It always results in spiritual blessings. These often do not come as we expect, but they are always for our benefit.
By Robert L. Olsen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Share with others: