Just Listen…

Every household has its own set of ground rules.  Often it’s simply a method of keeping the home environment in order and members accountable for doing their part.  

In our home, we do not have an established set of daily chores.  Every child is responsible and assigned to their own personal space.  

However, once in a while I will assign a child a chore other than what is already required.  

And here is where the opposition begins. 

“But mom, not the laundry!!  I’ll do anything but the laundry!” 

Or, you assign a child a chore and shortly after you surely find them keeping busy, but doing everything BUT what you have assigned.  

And you can’t help but say, “Why can’t you just do the one thing I ask??”

That’s exactly the impression I received when I read Isaiah, chapter 1.

God is addressing his people through the prophet Isaiah with the same kind of request.  When you gather together and come to my house, here are my ground rules. (vs. 12-13).  

Hear the word of the LORD, …; listen to the instruction of our God, you people…!  (vs.10)

There is only one thing I ask, and that is for you to open your ears and hear what I want to personally speak to you.  

When you come to appear before me, who asks these things of you? … As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting— they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings. (vs. 12-14)

Stop keeping busy with everything but this one thing I ask.  Your beautifully prepared ceremonies are not at all  pleasing to me. 

And come, we shall speak with each other, says LORD… (vs. 18) 

When you attend church, God wants to have an individual conversation with you.   He wants to address you personally.  But you must be attentive to hear what he has to say.  You can’t hear him if you're too busy occupied with other things.  

And if you will obey and you will listen to me, you shall eat the good of the Earth…(vs 19)

If you obey this one thing and listen, good will come to you.  It will prosper you.  

 

 

 

 

 

Supporting Text

Be careful what you do when you enter the house of God. Fools go there to offer sacrifices, because all they do is sin. But it's best just to listen when you go to worship. (Ecc. 5:1 CEV)