Humans tend to be more preoccupied with what appears on the outside. They polish their image, but forget the essence of what they do. Especially nowadays when social media determines our behaviour. It feels like everything we do is just to look good and not to be good in itself.

This is what God is also proclaiming in Isaiah's prophecy. Israel will soon experience the consequences of her actions. But repeating previous patterns, the news of punishment will always be accompanied by a message of God's restoration or cleansing. In verses 1-4, God will establish justice and punish Israel. While Israel's enemies will also be destroyed by God, it means that Israel's punishment is part of God's chastening.

Unfortunately the Israelites were not deterred. They no longer directed their lives towards the guidance and wisdom of God. Their worship became empty. God said, "This people draws near with its mouth and honours me with its lips, but its heart is far from me, and its worship of me is only the memorised commandments of men." That was a problem in itself. They do worship, but only in an effort to look good.

Friends of the Bible, let us come into the presence of God through our words, works, and actions that are offered to Him. Worship will be a meaningless ritual, if we do it only as a formality and not a sincere devotion to God. Therefore, let us live in His discipline at all times.