"But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but
thou hast been weary of me, O Israel. Thou hast not brought me the
small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me
with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an
offering, nor wearied thee with incense. Thou hast bought me no sweet
cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy
sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast
wearied me with
thine iniquities." (Isaiah 43:22-24)
Israel's reproach is now brought to light. Although
revivals took place in the nation, overall Israel had wandered from
the love of God. Her spiritual renewals were often shallow and
short-lived. Israel the servant had grown weary of her Master. The
true heart of this reality may be seen in the closing prophecies of
Malachi. The prophet quoted the words of priests who had come to
detest God's service.
But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of
the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is
contemptible. Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye
have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that
which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an
offering...(Malachi 1:12-13).
God
reminds the Israelites of their failure to bring the required
offerings to the temple; yet, He points out the fact that He has not
burdened them with such requirements. The offerings were to be born
out of a heart for God. The strict adherence to them was not the
most important thing but rather the heart behind them. Israel's
redemption lie not in the endless blood of bulls and of goats but in
the blood of the Messiah to Whom such offerings pointed. Should a
righteous man be kept back from bringing the required offering due to
the circumstances of life, it would not exclude him from fellowship
with the Lord. This reality makes it clear that God never intended
to burden His people with the sacrifices. Their purpose was to guide
the sinner to the One Who would burden Himself with the sins of the
world. The establishment of such a system was not for purposes of
oppression but restoration and fellowship. In this, God could truly
say, "I have not caused thee to serve with an offering."
The
Hebrew word behind sweet cane means a reed or a
stalk. It is found in the ingredients for the holy anointing oil
mentioned in Exodus 30:23. Apparently, it was a reed-like plant
harvested for its pleasing aroma. The exact identity is somewhat
vague. The passage expresses sadness on the part of God Who has been
shut out from the hearts of His people. Man's restoration and
fellowship are of the utmost importance to the Lord, and such an
attitude of grace from the Creator should incite the sinner to
repentance for his estrangement from God (Romans 2:4).
The
Lord had not made His people to serve with an offering and neither
had He wearied them with incense; however, they had served God in the
direct opposite manner. It is true that God is no man's servant;
yet, in the sense of fellowship, Israel had pushed God out and taken
advantage of His longsuffering character thus wearying Him with their
iniquities. Divine grace adorns this entire passage. Why should the
Creator of all bear so long with those who shun Him? The Lord is
merciful. Yet, His patience has a limit, and Israel was not far from
the coming judgment of Babylon when this prophecy was written.
The
Christian should be careful not to take advantage of God's goodness
in such a way. God has not wearied any believer with oppressive
service, and no believer should repay the Lord with a wearisome life
of carnality. Obedience to God's commands should flow out of a
loving heart that desires fellowship with Christ Who has removed
every burdensome weight of sin.
"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy
transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Put
me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou
mayest be justified. Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers
have transgressed against me. Therefore I have profaned the princes
of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to
reproaches." (Isaiah 43:25-28)
The opening statement is emphatic. "I, I am He who
blots out your transgressions." Israel had failed to keep the
Law. She had failed in her heart toward God. As every man, she had
fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The work of
redemption rests entirely with the Lord. Christ, and not man, has
the power to redeem. This declarative statement is a call to
repentant faith in the righteousness of God. The statement is
indisputably linked with the millennial redemption of the nation;
yet, the principles of this statement are good for both Jew and
Gentile in any dispensation. These verses aid in understanding how
God had not burdened Israel with the sacrificial system. If
redemption could be had through the works of the Law, salvation would
be an uncertain and burdensome thing; however, because salvation is
to be had by grace through faith, the Law which points man to that
salvation is no longer seen as an unbearable weight placed upon the
shoulders of inadequate and sinful humans.
For
the purpose of emphasis, God's commands His people to remind Him of
the evidence. Had He forgotten any facts which may result in their
vindication? No. Had He promised to deliver them through His mercy
and grace? Yes. The command is designed to incite thoughtfulness on
the part of Israel. All which God has declared is true. He
graciously encourages His people to draw nigh, consider the evidence
and draw a righteous conclusion. If they would declare that God is
just, men are evil and would flee to Him for deliverance, they would
be justified.
The
identity of the first father is unclear. Is God referencing Abraham?
Jacob? The elders of Israel in general? One thing is certain, all
men are sinners. Abraham was not flawless. Jacob had great
struggles with God. Categorically, Israel's leadership failed.
Israel needed repentance and faith in God's righteousness, because
she, as her first father, had sinned. For this cause, God brought
affliction on the nation and through the Babylonians, destroyed the
sanctuary of Solomon.
In
contrast to the flawless Messiah, failing Israel is presented as the
servant who has missed the mark yet is not unloved nor forgotten by
He Who will bring about her complete restoration.