INTRO: For human beings, relationships are the essence of life. We need other people, and we also hunger for a relationship with God. Even Pagans was to get in touch with God, but they insist on doing it on their own terms. Israel had lost its relationship with Jehovah. Isaiah speaks of that here, giving his ASSESMENT, ACCUSATION, AND APPEAL:

I. Isaiah's ASSESMENT: God has Abandoned You! (Is. 2:6).
A. Sometimes people don't realize that God has left them, and they need to be told. For example, the Pharisee in Jesus' story.
B. God warned Israel through Moses (Deut. 28:1-2, 15 and ff)
C. NOTE: God has never TOTALLY abandoned Israel (Romans 11:1-5).
D. OUR LESSON: God will chastise us if we stray far away (Heb. 12:5-6)

II. Isaiah's ACCUSATION: (Isaiah 2:6b-8)
A. Full of superstitions from the East.
1. East=Assyria, Babylon, Persia
2. Not our present silly superstitions (Rabbit foot, broken mirror, ladder, etc)
Magic potions, drugs
Casting spells, encantations, words of power
Charms, totems, shrunken head, image of sun, stars, etc.
Water gazing, crystal gazing
Casting sticks, we read tea leaves, read palms
Examing entrails of animals and people
Full blown astrology, worship of stars, sun moon and planets
Seeking the dead, seances, channeling by familiar spirits
3. God had spoken clearly against all this (Deut. 18:9-12)
B. Clasped hands with Pagans.
In culture, in spirit, in business, in marriage (see 2 Cor. 6:14-15)
C. Spoiled by wealth. "You cannnot serve God and Mammon.)
D. Idolatry, statues and images everywhere, just like the pagans.

III. Isaiah's APPEAL: He calls Israel to Repent and Return to God (Is. 2:5).
Come back to the light!

CONCLUSION: Jesus is the Light of the world. We need to believe in Him, obey his Words, seek His fellowship. May God bless us now as we seek His communion in the Lord's Supper.