Isaiah 1-3; Psalm 9; Matthew 22

Isaiah 1-3

The book of the prophet Isaiah expresses God's revelation to Israel during a period of their backsliding. It contains rebukes, calls to repentance, and hope for restoration.

"The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib; but Israel does not know, My people do not understand. Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged." (Isaiah 1:3-4)

"What to Me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats. When you come to appear before Me, who has required of you this trampling of My courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly." (Isaiah 1:11-13)

"I will turn My hand against you and smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy. And I will restore your judges as at the first and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward, you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city." (Isaiah 1:25-26)

Psalm 9

David acknowledges that the Lord is King over all, at all times. He is confident that "He will judge the world in righteousness and govern the peoples with justice. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You." (Psalm 9:8-10)

At the same time, David sees the wicked living in arrogance without punishment: "In his pride, the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." (Psalm 9:4). He questions God: "Why, Lord, do You stand far off? Why do You hide in times of trouble?" (Psalm 9:9).

These are natural feelings for believers when confronted with long-standing injustice. David asks for God's intervention: "Arise, Lord! Lift Your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless." (Psalm 9:12) and expresses confidence that the Lord will eventually restore justice: "The Lord is King forever and ever; the nations will perish from His land." (Psalm 9:7).

Matthew 22

In the final days before Jesus' arrest, religious leaders from various factions attempt to trap Him with their questions. The Herodians try to place Him in a difficult position with the question, "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" The Sadducees, who deny the resurrection, attempt to catch Him with a question about a woman who had seven lawful husbands. Finally, the Pharisees test Jesus with the question, "Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" In each situation, Jesus gives answers entirely unexpected by His opponents.

The chapter concludes with Jesus posing a direct question about the nature of the Messiah. He is simultaneously the son of David and David's Lord: "If then David calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his son?" (Matthew 22:45).

"And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask Him any more questions." (Matthew 22:46).