(a) State three criticisms Isaiah made against Israel's system of worship. [6 marks] (b) What three suggestions did Isaiah give for Israel's return to God? ...

(a) Three criticisms Isaiah made against Israel's system of worship (Isaiah 1:10-17)

1. Meaningless multiplication of sacrifices. God asked, What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? He was full of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of beasts and took no delight in the blood of bulls and goats, because they were offered without sincerity.
2. Empty attendance at the temple and festivals. Their coming to appear before Him He called the mere trampling of my courts, and their new moons, sabbaths and solemn assemblies had become an iniquity He could not endure. He hated their appointed feasts, which had become a burden to Him.
3. Hypocritical prayers from bloodstained hands. When they spread out their hands in prayer, God hid His eyes; even when they made many prayers He would not listen, because their hands were full of blood, that is, injustice and oppression.

(b) Three suggestions Isaiah gave for Israel's return to God (Isaiah 1:16-17)

1. Repentance and moral cleansing. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil.
2. Learn to do good and seek justice. They must correct oppression and pursue what is right.
3. Defend the weak. Bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause, caring for the helpless and oppressed.

(c) Three ways my country can return to God

1. By turning away from corruption, bribery and injustice, and practising honesty in public and private life.
2. By defending the poor, the orphan and the widow, ensuring fair treatment and social justice for the weak.
3. By sincere worship and repentance, seeking God in truth rather than in mere religious show and ceremony.