holy mountain

Some random, slightly unconnected thoughts:

Isaiah's really cool. And I don't find it a coincidence that I've ended up going through this part of the Word at this phase of my life and at this time of the year. I've always thought the Old Testament was completely boring and whack, but this is meaty. There's so many of God's promises in here it's amazing.

I just finished it, and the last book spoke to me. I read it three days in a row for no perceptible reason other than the fact that I just didn't want to move on without writing something about it.

"But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a man, and whoever offers a lamb, like one who breaks a dog's neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig's blood, and whoever burns memorial incense, like one who worships an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in their abominations..."
- Isaiah 66:3

And this so dearly reminds me of the verse that I never understand:

"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."
- Hosea 6:6

And here's the kicker:

"For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me."
- Isaiah 66:4b

So it comes down to this for me. I know I'd much rather make up my own set of rules rather than listen to God. When God suggests I do something, I turn Him down because it's too hard and I'm too likely to fail, and it takes too much energy to get out of my comfort zone and listen. Then I feel guilty about it, so I fall back on my rules and make myself feel better by doing "holy" things.

But God doesn't need my fake time, God doesn't need my sacrifices, He wants my heart. He wants my obedience. And that's just one thing I feel like I desperately need to learn - that knowing God and following Him is a hundred thousand times over more important than what "the right thing to do" is. For all intents and purposes, sacrifices are "the right thing to do," but they're not what He wants.

"I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations - to Tarshish, to the Libyans and Lydians (famous as archers), to Tubal and Greece, and to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations. And they will bring all your brothers, from all the nations, to my holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the Lord..."
- Isaiah 66:19-20a

And this is God's heart and purpose for us. Those who survive are sent out so that God's glory and fame may be proclaimed and that the nations may hear of His name. Wouldn't that be awesome?

This "holy mountain" is referred to a lot in Isaiah - and every time I read of it, I imagine being in God's presence, so near to Him and delighting to be with Him... some real family time right there. It's like going home for Thanksgiving break - forever.