Turn Around, Oh, Turn Around Today

Background Scripture: Isaiah 1
Lesson Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-20

Introduction

This quarter’s Sunday school lessons are taken primarily from the major prophets. They are so named, not because the message contained in them is necessarily more important, ‘but because they are the larger books of prophecy. The usefulness of these ancient, biblical prophecies for the present time will become apparent in studying these lessons.

Most often prophecy is considered a foretelling of future events, but when coupled with a spiritual purpose, it is more. The absolutes of right and wrong and cause and effect also lie within the bounds of foretelling what may be. With certainty, through the prophecy of Scripture, we can predict the consequences and rewards of today’s choices and actions. It is the voice of prophecy that is inviting, beckoning, and persuading the hearer of God’s message, ultimately lifting out the judgment that comes with disobedience and disregard.

In Isaiah we learn that not only is the gospel age predicted with amazing clarity, these prophecies are also a revelation of God Himself through the sacrifice and suffering of his Son.

Jeremiah’s prophecies remind us of the judgment of God and the backsliding that leads to a broken covenant. Equally important are the beautiful lessons of healing and hope we learn, witnessing God’s love for his people.

Though portions of Ezekiel are difficult to understand, the visions and allegories in his prophecies are priceless; they provide a richer and fuller picture of the subject. Occasionally this book speaks in direct address and is unmistakable in its message.

Daniel, a captive slave exiled from Jerusalem, is an example of steadfast conviction and principle. He becomes a servant of God set in high places where God uses Daniel’s education and skill to his purpose for the providence and hope of his people. God’s sovereignty over the kingdoms and kings of the earth, and over time itself, is wonderfully displayed in this book.

In Sunday school, let each one esteem “the words of his mouth more than [our] necessary food” (Job 23:12) so our souls may be fed and nurtured.

Turn Around, Oh, Turn Around Today

Lesson 1

March 7, 2021

Background Scripture: Isaiah 1

Lesson Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-20

Introduction

Our lesson title comes as a plea to the wayward to turn into the right path. We have no promise of tomorrow; today is the day of opportunity. “To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Heb. 3:15). When a burden of sin bears down upon us, we find deliverance at the foot of Jesus’s cross. His invitation is open to all: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).

Key Verse

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon (Isa. 55:7).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

The prophet Isaiah came with a message of judgment but one full of hope if the listener would only obey and allow God to search his heart. The name Isaiah means “Jehovah is salvation,” and Isaiah is one of the great messianic prophets, prophesying much about the coming of the Savior and the gospel age. He was the son of Amoz, who is traditionally thought to be the brother of King Amaziah, son and successor of King Joash. Isaiah lived in Jerusalem during the eighth century BC and describes his call from God in the year of King Uzziah’s death. He faithfully warned the people and continued to bring them God’s message for over forty years through the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.

Although Jerusalem was destroyed some years later, in Isaiah’s time the nation had already reached a low point. It seems the outward forms of worship such as sacrificing and observing feasts and holy days were still being practiced, but the more important aspects of compassion, honesty, and judgment were being ignored. Isaiah uses the analogy of the lowly oxen who know their master and of the donkey that knows where to go to find its food. But God’s own people, called by His name, seemingly had forgotten where to find their blessings and provisions.

As Isaiah observed the needs of God’s people, he saw them as a sick, leprous person whose body was covered with sores. He had probably seen the ones who were outside of the city because of this deplorable disease, those who were shunned lest someone coming near would also be stricken with the dread sickness. He had seen their open wounds and putrefying sores left undressed and noxious.

How he yearned that the hearts of his people would be open to their need, that they would see that it was not the outward motions of religious service but the true devotion of the heart that God was looking for. “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7).

Practical Truths for Today

Since the fall, man has been struggling with a deadly spiritual disease that affects everyone. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Every person born into this world must deal with the problem of sin. Many times Christians are tempted to do like the Israelites did—we look at our outward performance and judge ourselves by our good deeds and intentions. God is interested in the outward works, but, more importantly, He is proving the content of our hearts. He is looking for true devotion, a heart overflowing with love and thanksgiving for what He has done. A heart like this will produce spiritual fruit to honor Him.

Whether searching to find the Lord for the first time or having strayed from the love of God, the first thing we need is a vision of our sin. Without the conviction that “I am a sinner,” it will be impossible to find true forgiveness. As long as we hang on to the “filthy rags” of personal right living or goodness, we stand in the way of finding the door of grace and mercy. The Bible has many good examples of those who recognized their depravity. The publican who went to the temple and prayed did not use many words (Luke 18:13); he just pleaded for mercy. The dying thief on the cross admitted that he was receiving due reward for the crimes he had committed (Luke 23:41-42). King David, after he recognized his sin, simply said, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Sam. 12:13). None of these men tried to justify their sin or make atonement by their own works; they realized that forgiveness comes from God.

As we fully accept the reality of being a sinner in need of the Lord’s salvation, having no way to bridge the gap between God and us, the Savior will come to our rescue. He is waiting to help us when we reach out to Him in faith. “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isa. 59:1). God is like the father of the prodigal son who was watching the road for his son’s return. God is longing to see his son again and be united with him in fellowship (Luke 15:20-24).

Many times we let the hurts we perceive others have inflicted on us, as well as the differences of opinions between us, hinder our fellowship. We find it hard to forgive and love those who have wronged us. Our heavenly Father does not classify people like we are so prone to do. His heart of compassion reaches out to the vilest sinner; Jesus’s blood is sufficient to cover every transgression of those who come to Him in true repentance. “In true repentance two things become apparent, and they are essential: a biblical look at sin, coupled with a change of affection in the heart. When these are present, old things have passed away and a new vision appears. The love for sinning is gone. In its place comes a love for righteous living.” 1

Let us be careful to keep this vision clear, even if we have been a Christian for many years. As time passes and our new birth and conversion experience is not so fresh in our memory, we can become somewhat mechanical in the Christian walk. Many of us have grown up in Christian homes, and from our earliest memories we remember the Bible stories being read, regularly going to church on Sunday morning, and enjoying the friendship of those we associate with. Although these things are all blessings from God, they must not become the focal point in our lives. Israel, as God’s chosen people, had practiced animal sacrifice for many centuries as a means of worshipping God and seeking His forgiveness. When their hearts were turned to the enticements of the things around them, they did not immediately discontinue the sacrifices and doing the outward things. But God, who could see their hearts, realized that their affection was not on Him. Let us examine our hearts and make sure that our love is set on the One who can save our soul and secure our eternal destination.

Questions

1. What are ways to help those who would like to find their way back to the Father but are unable to see their sin as exceedingly sinful?
2. What does it mean to reason with the Lord? (Isa. 1:18).
3. Does repeatedly falling into the same sin mean that I have not truly repented?
4. 1 Bible Doctrine and Practice, Gospel Publishers, pp. 108-109
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).