I've left behind the Song of Solomon and now begin the Book of Isaiah, the prince of the Old Testament prophets. His ministry covered much of the eighth century before Christ. The 53rd chapter of his work is considered by many to be the high point of Messianic prophecy and he is often quoted in the New Testament. Right from the beginning, he takes aim at people who are good at an outward show of piety but keep secrets, hoping no one notices, or pay attention to religious practice without a concern for justice when the Lord expects both. Verse fifteen can give any professing Christian cause for sober reflection.
Isaiah 1:15 When you spread out your hands. I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.
(According to one respected commentary, the blood mentioned here specifically refer to human blood shed by violence.)
Note: Blood, what blood? Is this being addressed to the whole nation; if so, then what responsibility does the individual have who has not shed any blood? Does, by virtue of corporate identity-a concept not unknown to the Bible, common in certain Asian cultures, but rare in the U.S.-does simple non-involvement in justice issues ensure that an individual will not get access to God in prayer? Perhaps the true low in communal spiritual degeneration is confident worship combined with an unlimited ability to rationalize any sin, even murder. The most dangerous people are not irreligious ones, but religious people with unlimited ability to rationalize.
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