An exegetical study of Isaiah 1:10–20: Justice as a principle of religious ethics

Abstract

In the context of the religious life of the Israelites during the prophetic ministry of Isaiah, worship practices appeared ritually magnificent yet lacked moral depth and social justice. Isaiah 1:10–20 presents a sharp prophetic critique of outward forms of worship that are detached from ethical responsibility towards others. This study aims to exegetically examine the theological critique of the prophet Isaiah against religiosity that is not accompanied by the practice of justice, and to explore its implications for the understanding of religious ethics. Employing a qualitative method through literature review and biblical text analysis, this study emphasizes the urgency of integrating worship and justice within the faith experience of the community. The findings reveal that authentic worship, according to Isaiah, requires active participation in the pursuit of social justice as a concrete expression of obedience to God. In today’s context, this message affirms that religious practice cannot be separated from a commitment to acts of love and advocacy for the oppressed.
Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This research enriches the fields of biblical theology, Christian ethics and liturgy by highlighting the importance of the integration of worship and social justice. Furthermore, from an interdisciplinary perspective, this study opens a dialogue between theology and the social sciences, such as the sociology of religion and cultural anthropology, by positioning the faith community as an agent of justice in addressing issues of poverty, injustice and the dynamics of multicultural societies.