The Signs of Empty Religion

What does useless religion look like? Jesus made clear in His time that the religious structure of Israel had become empty and purposeless. He quotes from Isaiah 29 (which you will see) to level His accusations. The truth is that Israel often regressed into hollow forms of faith and were repeatedly called out on it by God's prophets and eventually God's Son. In the second half of this chapter we see what empty religion looks like. 

First: There is no vision from the Lord as to what the people are to do. 
Isaiah 29:11–12 (ESV) And the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.” 12 And when they give the book to one who cannot read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot read.”

I know when we think of "vision" we are thinking of plans for our future. But "vision" in the prophets refers to God's revelation of His purpose and plans. Isaiah describes a people who cannot read the vision. It is hidden from them. 

Second: There is surface-level worship. 
Isaiah 29:13 (ESV) And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,

What does God want? He wants our hearts. He wants us to be true in our worship by coming to Him as we are and not feigning religious professions that have no effect on our internal dimensions. 

Third: There is a prideful redefinition of standards. 
Isaiah 29:15–16 (ESV) Ah, you who hide deep from the LORD your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?” 16 You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?

Notice that line in verse 16, "You turn things upside down!" The people had determined they were in charge and not God. They formed their own version of Him and decided what is right and wrong. Then they did this thinking they were determining their own "counsel". But God will not be mocked.

Fourth: There is a new wave of conversions from the least likely people. 
Isaiah 29:18–19 (ESV) In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. 19 The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.

Look at what Isaiah says. The deaf will hear and the eyes will see! Those who are of low estate in the structure of Israel will be the very ones who know the Lord. The poor will exult in Him! Why? Because God makes us what we are and not we ourselves. True religion is submitted to God's authority and Word, humbled by our own inadequacy and receptive to what He has prescribed. 

Finally: There is an hostility to God's chosen vessels. 
Isaiah 29:20–21 (ESV) For the ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off, 21 who by a word make a man out to be an offender, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and with an empty plea turn aside him who is in the right.

Isaiah describes an injustice against God's prophets. He will experience this himself as will Jeremiah more forcefully. If there is one thing empty religion cannot stand it is the true Word of God to man. 

We must remember, however, that God always has a people chosen and set apart for Himself. His people have been true through the dark times of the Judges, the compromising Kings of Israel and here at the end of Judah's glory in the south. Isaiah calls to God's people to remember He is God and those who hear and respond will stand in the end. 


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