The Gospel is Not Smooth Talking (Isaiah 30)

Isaiah 30 (click here to read or hear the whole passage, I only read selected verses for length) shows the people of Judah saying to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions, leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.”  How appropriate given the way we use the phrase “a smooth talker.”  A smooth talker will often have no problem getting a first date with a pretty girl.  A smooth talker can talk their way out of almost anything.  A smooth talker can sell a piece of junk to an unsuspecting buyer.  But the gospel is not a smooth message.  It calls people ugly because of their sins.  And we cannot smooth talk God out of giving us the death sentence nor smooth talk Jesus into being our bridegroom.

New audio link.