Like Reading Today's Newspaper

Some folks say that the Bible is not relevant to our society today, but if we look at Isaiah 1, we see the same mirrored image of our society today as was found in Judah. It’s like reading today’s newspaper.

The following are some similarities:

1) Isaiah 1:4 – Judah is called a “sinful nation” – a corrupt people who (1) forsook the Lord and (2) turned their backs on Him. Our nation is doing the exact same thing by divesting itself of all references to God and religion.

2) Isaiah 1:5-6 – There was no “soundness” [not healthy] in the nation – only moral corruption existed. Our nation is morally corrupt as well (see article).

3) Isaiah 1:7-9 – As a result of rampant immorality (Isaiah 1:21-23), Judah had become a “desolate” country. The same holds true for our country today (see article).

4) Isaiah 1:10-15 – Judah had a “form of godliness” (2 Timothy 3:5), but not a genuine display of religious fervor (Titus 2:13-14; cf. Ephesians 2:10). The same is true of our nation today (see article). What was the recommended “cure” for the nation of Judah?

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:16-17).

In other words, become a “willing and obedient” nation to God’s instructions (Isaiah 1:18-19). The same exact cure that our country and its society needs to embrace today.

Thus, the stories and illustrations in the Bible are indeed like reading today's newspaper and very relevant to today's society.

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets