"And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.” -- Isaiah 29:13-14

We are often offended when politicians and executives speak with such concern for the common man, but then have no heart for him in their decisions and actions. They are such a heartache to those who serve under their leadership because they are just self seeking and really don't care about others. As a result days come and go without wonderful things taking place.

In turn, the Lord looked to Israel for sincerity of heart. He expected more than actions that came from repeated rote without devotion of life. Their hearts were far from God and they dealt with life in their own wisdom. But the day would come when the Lord would "destroy the wisdom of the wise" (1 Corinthians 1:19) and do wonderful things for those devoted to him.

As years and generations passed, Jesus found the same condition as he quoted this passage in Matthew 15:8-9. The people of his day were more interested in man-made rules than the heart of God. As a result they lost everything that they counted valuable. Be careful my friend to choose wisely for “... no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”. Love comes from a heart near, not far.