“Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.” (Isaiah 29:13-14, ESV)
Isaiah warned the people of Jerusalem that the whole city was going to become the site of God’s consuming fire to purge His people of idolatry and iniquity. Both leaders and people heard the warning yet they refused to listen. They pretended as if the words were sealed up or unintelligible. They preferred their religion to be composed of lip service and superficial acts which kept the letter of the law but did not come from a burning heart that was consumed with love for the Lord. Such religion rejects God’s authority treating Him not as Lord but as a servant who must give people what they want.
Many people reject the God of the Bible and His Word because they don’t want to have to obey Him. They would rather try to get Him to give them what they want. They keep some of the rules, or at least the ones they think are valid or fit in with their lifestyle, but will not surrender their wills to Him. They carry out law but fail to extend love and mercy.
God hates such false religion, but it is amazing to see the level of inconsistency that religious people and leaders are capable of. Quite often decisions are made and policies enforced based on individual whims, worldly ideas, political correctness and power politics rather than on what the Lord wants. Such disrespectful behavior denies the love of God as well as the message of forgiveness, mercy and humility that is preached in God’s word. We should strive with the help of God to live lives that honor Him.