“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool – Isaiah 1:18
The book of Isaiah begins with this stunning invitation from God to His people. | WATCH ON YOUTUBE
God had faithfully led and provided for His chosen people, Israel, for years. The people should have lived in eternal gratitude to Him for His goodness to them. Instead, they are accused of being corrupt, having betrayed and neglected this awesome God. And the Lord is saying, come let us reason together. The Lord says come let’s talk about it. He is calling them to come and discuss their options or argue their case. To weigh the facts and evidence.
In verses 16 and 17, God states what He requires of His people. To be clean, to stop doing wrong, learn to do right, seek justice, encourage the oppressed, to defend the cause of the orphan and widow. The people have not been doing these things. They have rebelled. They have sinned. But the Lord says, yet if they are willing to repent and return, then He would still forgive and cleanse them.
The word “scarlet” also means ‘double-dyed.’ The Lord is saying to His people the stain of sin is deep, and yet if you repent, I will cleanse and make white as snow. Christ paid the price for our sin and we are made righteous through Him. What a gracious God!
The Lord’s requirement of His people remains the same today, to do right and seek justice. If the Lord were to call you to reason with Him how would you measure up?
I need your forgiveness, Lord. Would you please cleanse me, as you have promised?
Extended Reading — Isaiah 1-4
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