How Did We End Up Here?

Isaiah 1:21 says,

“How the faithful city

has become a whore,

she who was full of justice!

Righteousness lodged in her,

but now murderers.”

No dreams for our daughters include that they might grow up to be a whore. God uses adultery to help us understand what is happening when we worship something or someone other than Him. We are being unfaithful. As with any sane spouse, that just will not fly.

Ancient Israel was once faithful, harboring justice and righteousness. But at this point, the city had become a whore who harbored murderers. Oh, how things can change! Isaiah 1:22 goes on to say,

"Your silver has become dross,

your best wine mixed with water.”

What was once valuable through purity was no longer good for its purpose and everything was watered down. Then in Isaiah 1:23,

“Your princes are rebels

and companions of thieves.

Everyone loves a bribe

and runs after gifts.

They do not bring justice to the fatherless,

and the widow’s cause does not come to them.”

God’s wisdom caused them to abide in justice, righteousness, purity, and fulfillment, but they rejected it. They went after their own ways, and found the fruit to be unfaithfulness, murder, impurity, and watered down living. They were led by rebels and thieves. And when everyone loves a bribe, there’s no good guy to come to your rescue. With that kind of environment, hearts grow cold and no one is watching out for the orphan or hearing the widow. This is the ultimate condition of a people who ignore the wisdom of God.

The Lord makes it clear that mankind can’t be left to his own ways. We desperately need a Savior. And so He came.