What Does It Mean to “Be Willing and Obedient?” (Isaiah 1:19)
As young believers preparing for the ministry in Bible school, we were often quoted a verse that became very well-known in our circles.
“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:19).
The main idea being conveyed to us is the importance of obedience to God. Don’t misunderstand me; I believe obedience to God is how we should always live our lives. However, what I didn’t know at that time—which I learned much later—is exactly what is the
“obedience”
God is calling us to that makes it possible for us to
“eat the good of the land.”
I had assumed it was directly connected to my performance in hearing and obeying God’s specific direction for my life. For example, if God told me to go to such and such place and do XYZ, and I obeyed Him, I would be mightily blessed, which equals
“eating the good of the land.”
Moreover, if I wanted to stay blessed, I had better be 100% obedient or I wouldn’t experience the good of the land.
When you study the apostle Paul’s life and missionary journeys, you begin to question if “eating the good of the land” is something Paul might have missed out on. I doubt prison food was up to Michelin Star status or he had turndown service with a mint left on his pillow each night. Yet, no one would question Paul’s devotion and obedience to God. At times, he did experience royal treatment but more often than not he suffered persecution and fought off wild animals to spread the gospel. So I think the term,
“good of the land”
might have a much deeper meaning than just material wealth and comfort.
As I grew in my knowledge of the New Covenant and understanding of God’s character, I began to see that it isn’t my obedience that earns God’s favor and blessings in my life. It is all about what Jesus did for us that enabled us to have access to all the blessings and promises of God.
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that
pertain
unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).
“Blessed
be
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly
places
in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).
It is important to know that the book of Isaiah is prophetic and all about Jesus the coming Messiah. When I went back to study this book, as I read the first chapter, I saw something that thrilled my heart and filled me with joy.
Isaiah 1:19 wasn’t about my performance.
It wasn’t saying that being perfectly obedient to God earned me the right to “eat the good of the land.” Rather, it has to do with my heart agreeing with what God desired to do about my sins. Verse 18 referred to how God planned to cleanse people from their sins, so they could enjoy all of His blessings in their lives. This was all about Jesus and what He would accomplish on the cross for us. The obedience God requires is for us to simply trust Him to do what only He can do.
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:18-19).
The willingness and obedience God is talking about are aimed at the belief of our hearts. Will we believe that God will turn our crimson red sins as white as snow? And will we live our lives knowing and believing we are white as wool and snow? The
“obedience”
God requires of us, so we can
“eat the good of the land”
is believing He has made us righteous in Him. God is good all the time. When we know this, we can enjoy His goodness all the time.
“O taste and see that the LORD
is
good: blessed
is
the man
that
trusteth in him” (Psalm 34:8).
There is nothing as tasty and delicious as knowing and experiencing God’s goodness. It isn’t material wealth that is the “good of the land.” It is living this life in a loving relationship with a good God that is.
Don’t trust in your obedience. Instead, trust or have faith in the obedience of Christ on your behalf. It is His blood that cleanses you from all sins. It makes you as white as wool and snow.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3
