2 Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; for the Lord speaks, “Sons I have reared and brought up, but they have revolted against Me.
3 “An ox knows its owner, and a donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”
3 “An ox knows its owner, and a donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”
4 Alas, sinful nation, people weighed down with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, sons who act corruptly! They have abandoned the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away from Him.
5 Where will you be stricken again, as you continue in your rebellion? The whole head is sick and the whole heart is faint.
6 From the sole of the foot even to the head there is nothing sound in it, only bruises, welts and raw wounds, not pressed out or bandaged, nor softened with oil.
6 From the sole of the foot even to the head there is nothing sound in it, only bruises, welts and raw wounds, not pressed out or bandaged, nor softened with oil.
7 Your land is desolate, your cities are burned with fire, your fields—strangers are devouring them in your presence; it is desolation, as overthrown by strangers.
8 The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a watchman’s hut in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.
9 Unless the Lord of hosts had left us a few survivors, we would be like Sodom, we would be like Gomorrah.
8 The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a watchman’s hut in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.
9 Unless the Lord of hosts had left us a few survivors, we would be like Sodom, we would be like Gomorrah.
10 Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; give ear to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah.
11 “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle; and I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.
12 “When you come to appear before Me, who requires of you this trampling of My courts?
13 “Bring your worthless offerings no longer, incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.
14 “I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, they have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.
15 “So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.
11 “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle; and I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.
12 “When you come to appear before Me, who requires of you this trampling of My courts?
13 “Bring your worthless offerings no longer, incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.
14 “I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, they have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.
15 “So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.
Reminder: "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will. When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!
It is God's will:
- that we listen to the Lord as He speaks to us (1:2)
- that we hear and obey the Lord's word and instructions (1:10)
- sin impedes prayers (1:15)
Today's prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for caring enough about us to speak to us through Your word. Help us to hear, understand and obey Your instructions. Bring to mind any sin in our lives so that we may confess those to You. Help us exchange our sinful behavior for righteous behavior.
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for caring enough about us to speak to us through Your word. Help us to hear, understand and obey Your instructions. Bring to mind any sin in our lives so that we may confess those to You. Help us exchange our sinful behavior for righteous behavior.
Help the nation of Israel open their eyes in order to recognize You as their Messiah. Help them to see their need for You. Amen.
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