We have rebelled and even tried to deny Yahweh; we have forsaken our God. Our speech stirs up oppression and revolt, and our hearts conceive, then confess, lies. 14 Justice is driven away and righteousness stands on the sidelines, for truth has stumbled in the public square and morality cannot enter. 15 Yes, truth has disappeared, and those who turn from evil become the next victims. Yahweh saw this and was greatly displeased that there was no justice. Isaiah 59:13-15

Isaiah confesses the sins of the people. Their own rebellion has brought them to this place. The Israelites turned away from God and their identity as His people. They begin to believe lies and then repeat them as truth. They are deceived and eventually carried away captive to Babylon.

We also see here a prophetic picture of our modern times. The church in many places has adapted their beliefs to fit the culture rather than the timeless orthodoxy it has held since the New Testament writings. Therefore, rather than being a voice to stop injustice and immorality the truth of God has been silenced. Even those who walk according to God’s Word become victims of ridicule and called hate mongers. Babylon is the prophetic metaphor representing the kingdoms men build.

This unfortunately is the pattern of human history and societies. Prosperity leads to pride and arrogance. We don’t need God. Man’s wisdom and science has the answers. The good of others and society as a whole is replaced with a focus on individual freedoms regardless of their morality.

This is a pattern we see in every great empire in history including the Greeks, Romans, Spain, Holland, and England and America today. There are economic factors that historians debate, but there has always been the underlying factor of faith in God. When people are desperate they help each other and work together for justice. Their faith in God sustains them and each one helps another. The more affluent and independent, the more selfish they become. Where we once exported the Gospel now we export the immorality we have embraced and our influence is waning as nations reject our new truth.

Can we become the first empire to learn from our past and humble ourselves and seek God? Can the church lead with humility and justice and restore its voice of influence?

We have history that shows when God’s children cry out to Him God responds. When we become radically committed to living for God and loving others, the church is revived and society is awakened to righteousness. This must be our prayer.