God Does Not Accept Bribes

10 Hear the word of the Lord,
you rulers of Sodom;
listen to the instruction of our God,
you people of Gomorrah!
11 “The multitude of your sacrifices—
what are they to me?” says the Lord.
“I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
of rams and the fat of fattened animals;
I have no pleasure
in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
12 When you come to appear before me,
who has asked this of you,
this trampling of my courts?
13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—
I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
14 Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals
I hate with all my being.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I hide my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
I am not listening.

Your hands are full of blood!

16 Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
stop doing wrong.
17 Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.

The sins of Judah were beginning to resemble those of Sodom and Gomorrah. God’s people didn’t understand the holy will of their God. Injustice against the weak and vulnerable was becoming rampant. God’s people thought they could make up for their sinful actions and appease God’s holiness by sacrificing animals and doing other religious rituals. But they continued in their evil ways of injustice and oppression against weak and vulnerable people. The society had become dominated by rich powerbrokers who thought nothing of accumulating wealth and gaining more clout over the poor and powerless. In addition, the judges and religious leaders did not condemn them but instead enjoyed their generous bribes and elaborate parties.

But those who are being trampled under the heel of oppression have God on their side. God doesn’t accept bribes. He doesn’t run a court open to bribery. And God expects nothing less of his people. Addressing the leaders of Judah, the prophet Isaiah said, “Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.”

That is our calling still today. Our practice of compassion and justice anticipates the day when the Lord himself will come in person to “give decisions for the poor of the earth” (Isaiah 11:4).

Gracious Father, purge us by your Word and Spirit so that our lives may truly reflect the holy character of the Lord Jesus, our Savior, in whose name we pray. Amen.