The Impact of Sin on Our Minds

1 The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!
For the Lord has spoken:
“I reared children and brought them up,
but they have rebelled against me.
3 The ox knows its master,
the donkey its owner’s manger,
but Israel does not know,
my people do not understand."

Before the good news, we hear the bad news. Isaiah begins with the impact of the bad news, starting with the state of affairs of God’s Old Testament people. God’s children had become estranged from God, their spiritual Father. Their confession of faith had become a matter of the mouth, not the heart. They had become corrupt theologically, spiritually, and socially. Sin had led Israel into blindness and ignorance. Even God’s own people were less knowledgeable about their God than an ox of its master or a donkey of its owner’s manger.

The corruption of God’s image in us puts us in a spiritual fog. Our minds no longer have the ability to adequately know God or his ways.

In response, God offers his heart-rending lament: “Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Sin has an immense impact on our minds. God’s report is quite condemning: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.”

Isaiah’s words here bring us right to the birth of Christ. On Christmas night the Savior was surrounded by shepherds who did know the manger of their Lord (Luke 2:4-20). May our study this month bring us to the same place of understanding and worship.

Father, help me recognize how much our world needs the Savior. I know that I also must confess my sins and acknowledge you as the Savior of my life, through Jesus. Amen.