Oak Trees and Isaiah 1

You will be like an oak with fading leaves.  Like a garden without water.  Isaiah 1:30, 31

Dead tree in the landscape near Sawtry for TL1881, Michael Trolove

The people were all dried up.

What happens to us as people when we go through rituals without them having much meaning any more?  We’re like robots garnering no satisfaction in what we’re doing.

Stop bringing meaningless offerings.  Isaiah 1:13

Motives.  Do we do things to appease people or because we really enjoy doing them?

The term “going through the motions” is what God is talking about.

The leaders of that day, just like us today, did things only because that’s what they thought God wanted them to do.  Kill a lamb.  Check.  Go to church.  Check.  Give an offering.  Check.

They had lost their passion for God.  Much like we lose our passion in relationships — at work, at home,  out in society.

After awhile, we become like oaks with fading leaves.

Are we still standing?  Yes.  But we aren’t living.  Our leaves slowly die and fall to the ground.  Moments in time that can’t be recovered.

They were hungry and thirsty and their lives ebbed away.
Psalm 107: 5

We are not left hopeless and helpless though.

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.
Psalm 107:6

There’s always hope.  There’s always help.  There’s always — God.

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