Unit Title – Essentials of Christianity

Lesson Title – The Nature of Sin

Central Truth – We are sinners, and on our own, we can do nothing about it. 

Text – Isaiah 59:1-13

Background: Isaiah the prophet ministered from 739-681 BC to the nation of Judah, the Southern Kingdom. By this time, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had largely been taken to captivity by the Assyrians. Judah had turned a deaf ear to God but was spared until a later time because of the prayers of the godly King Hezekiah. The nation later under the kingship of Manasseh and others would return to idolatry. This created the need for Isaiah pronouncements of judgement – made in the hope that God’s people would return to Him. Isaiah’s very name which means “Yahweh is salvation” gives an idea to the theme of the book. This is most clearly stated in Isaiah 12:2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid.” Chapters 1-39 detail their sin and God’s pending judgement against a people who had turned their backs on the Lord. Judgement is a consequence of persistent rebellion. In the latter chapters (40-66) we also see God’s faithfulness to His promise. He will preserve a remnant of faithful believers, those who will continue on into the glorious, renewed world He has prepared for His children.

Verse 1 reminds us that God is mighty and powerful. The people have removed themselves from God’s covering and in this time of judgement feel a distance from God. Isaiah reminds the reader that God is waiting for them to turn away from their sin and return to Him (Repentance). God is not only patient with us but as David wrote in Psalm 116 God “inclines His ear” to us so He can come to our rescue when we call. Why is there a distance between God and His people?

Verse 2 answers that question – due to their sins and iniquities. There is a difference in the two. We’ve heard sin defined as “missing the mark” or failing to live up to God’s holy standard. Iniquity is disobedience taken to another level. Iniquity is more about our inner character, it is premeditated, continuing, and often escalating behavior. Those who have given themselves over to a sinful lifestyle are living in iniquity.

Verses 3-4 read like an indictment against the people. Specifically, they have transgressed God’s law in both their words and their deeds. Their hands are soaked in blood and they have spoken lies and injustices against the innocent. Their lifestyle is opposite the words of the prophet Micah that instruct the reader to “act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Verse 4 continues, describing their words as empty and worthless. Isaiah uses a similar metaphor to James 1:13-15 – desire gives birth to sin, sin in turn gives birth to death.

Verse 5 – Snakes and spiders elicit fear in most people. They are something we usually avoid at any cost. You know the awful feeling when you expectantly walk through a spider’s web. The original audience would have very familiar with the deadly poison of a snake. Later Jesus even used the phrase “brood of vipers” to describe the Pharisees in their treachery and deception. These first five verses give the reader a clear picture of the depth of Judah’s rebellion.

Verses 6-8 appear to be more of the same. There is no benefit from the webs they have weaved. Whatever works they did would never cover up their deeds. Their deeds and worship were from hearts that were cold, hard, and dead. Even though they were God’s chosen people He would not tolerate their injustice. In the same way we may try to make up for our sinfulness by our good deeds, but our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Paul wrote to the Corinthians they do could do many great things, but without love they would amount to nothing (I Cor 13:1-3). In verses 7-8 I am struck by their eagerness to run down the path of destruction. I can’t help but think of the words of Jesus in Matthew 7 as He spoke of entering through the narrow gate because following the wide path leads to destruction. We see here a glimpse of the results of their choice. There will be no justice and no peace for those who continue travelling the road to destruction.

The final verses for the lesson this week continue in Isaiah 59:9-13.

These verses appear to take different tone. This is the beginning of confession. Yes, justice and righteousness are far from them, but the people appear to be searching. This is the hopeful sign I have been looking for in this lesson. (Isaiah and the Old Testament prophets would speak truth about God’s displeasure with them, but the message was always tempered with hope. When the people would repent and return, God would always give them another chance. I think that is a picture of grace.) We read that they are hoping for light. They are hoping for justice. They are groping like a blind person in the dark searching for something familiar and reassuring they may take hold of.

Verses 11 describes them as growling bears and moaning doves. The temporary pleasure they found in sin is no more. They were in a state of misery because their hearts were empty. Sin may fill some of our wants for a while, but nothing can satisfy our souls and give us the peace all of us need like a relationship with our Heavenly Father. In verses 12-13 Isaiah continues. The people had recognized and admitted their guilt. The magnitude of their misdeeds and how those are an affront to a holy God was becoming evident to them.

Honestly, this seems an odd place to end the lesson. I realize the lesson next week focuses on the fact that forgiveness is available to us because of Jesus’ sacrificial death on our behalf. But everyone who sees this lesson or comes to class this week will not return to get the rest of the story next Sunday.

So, I’ll leave us with these verses from Romans:

·        Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” We have all missed the mark. We all stand in need of forgiveness.

·        Romans 6:23 teaches us the consequences of sin – “For the wages of sin is death…” Wages are something we earn. The punishment we have earned for our sin is death. Not just physically, but also eternal separation from God.

·        Romans 6:23 continues with good news – “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” How is this gift made available to us?

·        Romans 5:8 tells us – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” On the Cross, Jesus paid the price for our sins. The debt we owed was paid in full on our behalf.

·        Romans 10:9 makes it clear, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him form the dead, you will be saved.” When we admit we have sinned, believe in Christ, and confess Him to others we will be saved.

·        Romans 10:13 tells us salvation is not only for a select group. – “for everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”

·        Romans 5:1 contains a promise – “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Later in Romans 8:39 we read that absolutely nothing can separate us from God’s love.

Would you like to follow the Romans Road to salvation? If so, here is a simple prayer you can pray to God. This prayer is a way to declare to God that you are relying on Jesus Christ for your salvation. The words themselves will not save you. Only faith in Jesus Christ can provide salvation! - "God, I know that I have sinned against you and am deserving of punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. With your help, I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness and for the gift of eternal life! Amen!"