These verses sound as though the prophet is accusing God of neglect! This chapter of Isaiah begins with real joy and encouragement, but when the prophet reflected on the depth of sin of God's people he was not happy, and even suggested that God should never forgive them

These past few years have made many of us think about what is important to us. I am not saying we have made idols of ourselves, but for many there has been a realisation of how me-centred we are. How we satisfy our own needs without really thinking about it.

It is easy to idolise things;- our possessions, (especially if they are heirlooms) or people, (our children, or partners, film stars). It is also possible to idolise ourselves, believing we are right about everything, and going our own way, no matter what others say.

The Israelites had no idea how much they needed to learn before they would be ready for the promised land, they did not recognise what was right and wrong in the eyes of God, and one problem led to another.