Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Therefore the Lord said, 'These people come close to me with their words and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from me. Their reverence for me is just something they learned from human teachings and traditions.'
God is pointing out that people were going through the motions of worship with their words while their hearts weren't truly connected to Him - their faith had become just empty religious routine.
📚 Historical Context
Isaiah was prophesying during a time when the people of Judah had become complacent in their relationship with God, around the 8th century BC. They continued their religious ceremonies and said the right words, but had lost genuine devotion and were following religious traditions without heart engagement. This was part of God's warning about coming judgment if they didn't return to authentic faith.
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