Isaiah 1: 4. “Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
The prophets were those who conveyed God’s Word to His people. Today we have the complete written Word, and we still have some preachers who don’t hesitate to preach God’s Word in its fullness. Either way, there was, and is, no excuse.
Think about being “weighed down with iniquity.” If you’ve ever had to carry something that was much to heavy for you, then try to remember how the task consumed you and left you trembling when you finally could put it down. That’s what God is describing here, only Israel was not yet ready to put down its iniquity. The load continued to grow, because they had abandoned the Lord. Abandoned. Turned their backs, walked away from, left Him alone. An even stronger word: They had despised Him! The KJV has it that they had provoked Him, and “gone away backward.” They were backslidden. They had made a conscious choice to reject the Holy One of Israel.
You can compare and contrast this verse with Exodus 19:6; Deut. 13:2; Is. 41:8; and
Deut. 14:1.
Then go to I Peter 2:9 and read: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people: that ye should shew forth the praises of Him Who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
That verse was written to believers. All believers, Jew or Gentile. How are we comparing with the Israel of Isaiah 1:4? Aren’t we in exactly that same place? If you doubt it, look at some video clips of the RNC. Look at who we have to choose between to be our next President.
We are indeed weighed down with iniquity!
Linda's Bible Study 
This verse certainly describes our world -July 19/16. Your Isaiah series is relevant & maybe even prophetic. Thanks for all your hard work.
By the way – I loved your just writing post today. My husband would go for the pumpkin pie whereas I choose blueberry with a small piece of pecan on the side.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m very excited about digging into Isaiah again. I’ve taught it before in a Bible study class,but we never made it all the way through for reasons beyond my control. Looking forward to it, and thanks 🙂
LikeLike
Description we need to hear. It needs to soak in.
And e cannot and should not expect government to make moral changes in our country. Change is a choice. Our weakened population that claim to follow Christ are, in my opinion, looking in the wrong places. I see it already.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly. Me too.
LikeLike