Davarim Haftorah Isaiah 1:21-31

Davarim Haftorah Isaiah 1:21-31

In this vision Isaiah hears from the heavens above down to the earth that we have grown fat and turned away from truth. The ox and the donkey know who is master but we have forgotten our Creator.  Our head and our heart are cracked.  And from the sole of our feet to the top  of our head we are wounded and confused and we bleed and find no solace.  Our lands are becoming desolate and our cities burn (think global warming) and enemies will consume them.  We are compared to the daughter who is abandoned in the hut where cucumbers have grown.  Worthless now.  Of what use our pleas and false sacrifices (the burning offerings in the drawing) We spread out our hands but they are covered in blood. So, we are told to wash away our blindness and iniquities. We are told to seek justice ( the judges balancing in the top area of the drawing) and to care for those in need, the orphan and the widow.  And Hashem here offers salvation.  Though our sins are crimson blood (on the right) they can be transformed in the metaphor of clean wool ( on the left).  But if we refuse to acknowledge our fallings, our cities will be like harlots lodging murderers (to the right of the big hand) and our riches will turn to dross, wine to water as we remain corrupt.  And yet again Hashem promises to purge away our cruelty and ignorance symbolized by the healing liquid dropping from Hashem’s metaphorical hand. And our cities will be restored.  But those who reject the Creator will be like the tree whose leaves are wilted and their strength will burn away.