Isaiah 65:1-7 – Don’t make a mockery of God

In the last three reflections from Isaiah 63:15-64:12, we saw how Isaiah in his prayer longed for God to show His compassion for His people. Then he not only longed for God to show His presence to bring about changes in their circumstances but also for God to touch them. The reason why Judah could not feel God’s compassion, presence, and touch, was because they chose to persist in their stubborn ways contrary to God’s plan. As a result, God allowed the Gentiles to discover His grace. Even though they did not seek Him He made Himself readily found to them. Why? The purpose can be found in Romans chapters 9-11. There the Apostle Paul tells us that God did it to provoke the Jews to jealousy so that they would be stirred to return to Him. The reason God turned to the Gentiles was His displeasure with His covenant people, who persistently rejected His kind overtures to them. In verses 2-7, God gave them reasons why He was displeased with them.  

Firstly, they made their sacrifices and burned their incense in unprescribed places. They offer their sacrifices in gardens and not in the temples and burning incense on bricks. This could be referring to the rooftops of their houses. Secondly, they would sit in tombs consulting the dead. This occultic art known as necromancy was a practice of calling out the supposed spirit of the dead for consultation. In the tombs of those who had departed, they would spend long nights consulting their spirits seeking to gain their wisdom. Thirdly, they would eat pork which God in the Law given through Moses had listed as unclean meat. In what they did they were distancing themselves from God. It was like saying they were holier than God and did not want Him near them. How blatantly audacious!   

Their practices were a constant annoyance to God. The aberrant offerings were like irritating smoke in His nostril. These were not the deeds of only one generation. Every subsequent generation, one after another, continued in these belligerent acts. They were far too much even for a gracious, compassionate God to endure. Unwittingly, they were accumulating their evil deeds and adding on to the reasons for God’s impending wrath.  

If there is one clear lesson from these verses, it is the call not to test the patience of God. He is loving but He will not be mocked. In Galatians 6:7, Paul's warning is so well put. He said, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap.” If we persist to live contrary to God’s prescribed ways, there is a sure consequence awaiting us. So live for God and avoid His wrath!