Title: A Crumbling Society
Bible Book: Isaiah 59 : 1-21
Author: William R. Shively
Subject: America; Independence Day; National Issues
Objective:
Introduction
Isaiah 59:1-21
The Lord was more than able to save Israel, but their iniquities were a hindrance to His blessings and forgiveness. Sin hindered Israel's prayers from being heard. Their sins separated them from God. The Israelites had lost their favor with God. The result was a crumbling society.
I. CAUSE FOR THE CRUMBLING
A. PROBLEM IS SIN. (v. 1-2) "your iniquities"
Isaiah said, "Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant." (Isaiah 30:13) In other words, sin was their downfall. They were like a wall ready to collapse suddenly.
When Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, it affected the whole human race. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Romans 5:12) All the human race possess a sinful nature. That is why Paul stated in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23) and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).
The human race has a heart problem. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9-10)
B. PRINCIPLE OF SOWING. (v. 12) "our transgressions are multiplied"
Jesus said sin comes from the heart of man. He listed a number of sins. "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:" (Mark 7:21-22)
Paul stated, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." (Galatians 6:7-8)
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:19-21)
Paul used the law of agriculture to teach a spiritual principle. A farmer reaps what he sows.
II. CONSEQUENCE FROM THE CRUMBLING
The principle of sowing and reaping applies to the moral and spiritual sphere as well as to agriculture. The result is seen in the crumbling of society in Israel and in America.
A. MORAL COLLAPSE. (v. 3-7)
The sins of the flesh sowed in society cause that society to crumble. The prophet Isaiah exposed the sins of the Israelites. Their hands were defiled with blood from the murders they had committed (v. 3). Their lips were speaking lies and their tongues muttered perversion. Their courts were corrupt and perverted justice (v. 4). There was no one calling for justice. No one called for the end of sin. They were guilty of planning evil and violence. They committed their evil deeds with enthusiasm. (v. 7) Their thoughts were consumed with thoughts of iniquity.
It is easy to see what causes a society to crumble. A society that feeds on the deception of lies and worldly wisdom will suffer morally. In America, a culture of liberalism, materialism, and humanism is bringing down our nation. Our society is full of drugs and alcohol. Immorality is encouraged in every area of America's culture, from music, movies, TV and even in public schools and colleges. The two greatest areas of moral collapse are due to the removal of God from society (v. 13) and the denial of truth (v. 15).
B. SPIRITUAL COLLAPSE. (v. 2, 13)
When God is denied and forsaken, a society will crumble. When the Word is mocked and rejected, a society will crumble. This is what happened to Israel and what will happen to America if we continue on this path.
The iniquities of the Israelites had separated them from God. The prophet Isaiah warned this sinful nation that their sins had created a barrier between them and God. The Lord would not hear their prayers. They had fallen out of favor with God.
"That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant." (Isaiah 30:9-13)
III. CURE FOR THE CRUMBLING
A. CONFESSION OF SIN. (v. 10-15)
Confession is when a person owns his/her sins and agrees with God. In these verses, we see a change in pronouns. In the opening verses, the Prophet used the pronouns “they” and “their”. Starting with verse 10, the prophet uses pronouns “us”, “we” and “our”. The prophet joined with his people in the confession of sins committed by Israel. In these five verses, Isaiah confesses the sins of Israel. He confesses the fact that they knew their iniquity when he said, "as for our iniquities, we know them." Confession is a major part in the cure for a crumbling society. America needs to repent, and it needs to begin in her churches.
B. COMING REDEEMER. (v. 16-21)
God had been longsuffering with Israel. The Lord waited for them to turn to Him in repentance. He searched for a man to intercede for Israel but there was no one. There was no man who would stand for justice and truth. Israel was crumbling from persistent rebellion and willful sin. When we forsake God, we are in serious trouble. When God's Word is no longer used to influence our society, sin and wickedness will reign. This is what happened to Israel and is happening in America today.
God promised a Redeemer for those who confess and repent of their sins. The reference to the Redeemer in verse 20 speaks clearly of Jesus Christ. He will come to Jerusalem. The godly remnant of God's people will be delivered. Jesus can and will save anyone who will turn to Him in repentance and faith. "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25)
LESSONS FOR LIFE:
What can we do as Christians?
1. Our prayer life for spiritual revival must intensify in these last days.
2. Each of us must stay spiritually clean before God.
3. We must stand for what is right and against all that is wrong.
4. As Christians, we must take this moment to spread the gospel.
