Just in Case

 ¹⁰ Hear the word of the LORD,
   you rulers of Sodom;
listen to the instruction of our God,
   you people of Gomorrah!
¹¹ “The multitude of your sacrifices—
   what are they to me?” says the LORD.
“I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
   of rams and the fat of fattened animals;
I have no pleasure
   in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
¹² When you come to appear before me,
   who has asked this of you,
   this trampling of my courts?
¹³ Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
   Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—
   I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
¹⁴ Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals
   I hate with all my being.
They have become a burden to me;
   I am weary of bearing them.
¹⁵ When you spread out your hands in prayer,
   I hide my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
   I am not listening.
Your hands are full of blood!

Isaiah 1:10-15 (NIV)

Just in case you didn’t get the memo, the Lord was not pleased with the condition of Israel.  He shared his deepest sentiments regarding her sacrifices and offerings to Him.  He was truly displeased.  In fact, at one point in verses 16 and 17, of the same chapter, He says for the disobedient nation to wash and “learn to do right.” The Lord was truly offended by all that Israel tried to do outwardly without any sign of inward change.

This is for those who may not have heard it before today.  It is for those who my never have read where the Lord calls His people harlots and idol-worshipers.  This is for you just in case you never heard such things from God Almighty in His Word. 

It can also serve as a reminder for those who have heard or read it, but they somehow forgot that they ever heard or read them before.  It should help convict and reprove those who know better to do better.  Let it serve as a strong reminder to all that God will not stand our disobedience and defiance for long.  Turn from your ways and start doing things God’s way.

¹⁸ “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
   says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
   they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
   they shall be like wool.
¹⁹ If you are willing and obedient,
   you will eat the good things of the land;
²⁰ but if you resist and rebel,
   you will be devoured by the sword.”
            For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

–Isaiah 1:18-20 (NIV)