Living Stream Ministry

II. JEHOVAH’S LOVING EXHORTATION
AND PROMISE TO HIS CHASTISED PEOPLE

After Jehovah’s chastisement on His beloved children, we have His loving exhortation and promise to His chastised people.

A. Jehovah’s Loving
Exhortation to His Chastised People

Jehovah’s loving exhortation has both a negative side and a positive side (1:16-17).

1. On the Negative Side

On the negative side, God charged the people to wash themselves, to cleanse themselves, to turn away the evil of their deeds from before His eyes, and to cease doing what is evil (v. 16).

2. On the Positive Side

On the positive side, God charged them to learn to do good, to seek justice, to correct the ruthless, to defend the orphan, and to plead for the widow (v. 17). The ruthless ones were those who oppressed others. The people were to be released from the oppression exercised by the ruthless. God cares for the oppressed, the orphans, and the widows. Therefore, He told His people to keep their hands off the oppressed, to defend the orphan, and to plead for the widow.

B. Jehovah’s Loving Promise to His Chastised People

Jehovah’s loving promise is a promise of forgiveness and of restoration.

1. Of Forgiveness

a. Jehovah’s Invitation

Concerning the promise of forgiveness, Jehovah first extends an invitation: "Come now and let us reason together" (1:18a). God invites the people to reason with Him about their sins.

(Life-Study of Isaiah, Chapter 3, by Witness Lee)