Isaiah 1:18 Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
The book of Isaiah rings forth with gospel hope in every declaration of God’s judgment and every promise of our coming Savior. And even though Isaiah wrote these words over 700 years before our Savior’s birth, the prophet’s own name proclaims the gospel message that Yahweh rescues sinners (Isa 1:1).[1] This good news will flood our hearts with overwhelming joy if we truly know the Lord.
God Prosecutes His People (vv. 2-10)
Isaiah’s words convict, however, before they promise pardon. For he calls the court to session: “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the LORD has spoken” (v. 2a). All heaven and earth stand witness against God’s people, for they were present when God created man and will remain long after judgment. They were witnesses of God’s covenant on Sinai when he promised blessings for obedience and curses for rebellion. Yet now, the universe falls silent as Yahweh mourns his wayward daughter (vv. 2b-4a). For though he loved her from the womb and watched her blossom into beauty, she no longer seems to know him: “They have forsaken the LORD, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged” (v. 4b). God’s precious child has turned away to wander in her lostness. She has been assaulted and left for dead, but still she will not cry for help (vv. 5-6). So, out of mercy, God questions her: “Why keep suffering for your sin? Would you not be healed?” This life-giving gospel call begins with the terrible news that all of us are sinners. We must plead guilty before a Holy God or we will never know our Savior. For only a clear conviction of our sin will usher in God’s grace.
God Pleads for Repentance (vv. 11-20)
The Lord pronounces his people guilty of false worship: “‘What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?’ says the LORD; ‘I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats’” (v. 11). God’s people do right deeds, but with wrong hearts. They spend money on costly sacrifices just to play act through the motions (29:13). They do not respect God’s presence as they stampede his courts (1:12). So, God spits them out: “I cannot stand your sin-stained celebrations. I gag on the incense which once pleased me. Your offerings have become a burden which I am weary of bearing” (see vv. 13-14). Religious hypocrisy grieves the very heart of God who stops heeding his people’s prayers as they lift their blood-stained hands in worship (v. 15). He turns his face from those who utter angry words and gossip. He makes himself seem as deaf and mute as the idols which they seek. Yet all throughout, God pleads for their repentance: “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean” (v. 16).
Application Insight: True worship is not about simply saying the right words or looking the part because sincerity never substitutes for obedience. Too often, though, we come to worship without confessing sin. We ignore our secret thoughts and silent pride. We neglect our covetous hearts and linger in bitter conflict. But then, we come to church and pretend like nothing’s wrong. So, God rebukes our stark hypocrisy: “I want more than the pattering of your feet in church. I want your heart!”
Finally, though, Isaiah reveals the most wonderful promise of hope: “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (v. 18). The Lord reasons with his people, “Let’s settle this in court. As sinners, you must plead guilty. Yet as saints, you can rejoice in me, for you are innocent because I say so. Your garments were stained as red as blood, but I have made you clean.” The Judge gives pardon only when we don’t dispute the charges. As my son once asked, “Daddy, before I tell you the truth, have you already forgiven me?” We might laugh at such an audacious request, but that is also what God has promised us: “Child, just tell me the truth, for I have already forgiven you. Admit that you are guilty and I’ll declare you innocent.” So, Isaiah presents God’s people with a choice between the blessing and the curse: “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken” (vv. 19-20). Either eat the fruit of the land or be eaten by the sword. Receive God’s grace or suffer his rebuke.
God Purifies through Judgment (vv. 21-31)
Isaiah preaches bold repentance. Yet still, God’s beautiful bride refuses to listen. She commits adultery and gives herself away to idols (v. 21). “Therefore the Lord declares, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: ‘Ah, I will get relief from my enemies and avenge myself on my foes. I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy’” (vv. 24-25). God hates sin so much that he will scrub his people clean and purify them with fire (v. 26). Yet “Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness” (v. 27). The Lord redeems because Another paid our ransom. For at the cross, God poured out wrath upon his Son and gave to us Christ’s righteousness (Titus 2:13b-14). And only those who don’t repent will perish (Isa 1:28-31).
Application Insight: Repentance means to confess and forsake our sin: “I stand a sinner before a holy God. Yet I know that you are merciful. You sent your Son to die for me and to cover the cost of my redemption. Because of Christ, I am forgiven and washed whiter than the snow. I don’t need to cleanse myself to be a worthy worshiper. I don’t need to stumble through the motions. So, even now when I mess up, I confess it freely, knowing that Christ has paid my ransom. I repent because I know I am redeemed.”
Self-Reflection:
- Examine your life this past week. Have you any unconfessed sins or the stains of guilt? What steps must you take for God to wash you clean and pronounce you innocent?
- In what way do you sometimes worship hypocritically? How can good works mask a sinful heart? By contrast, how can good works rightly declare God’s grace?
- Picture a cloth stained with blood, but cleansed in water to emerge a dazzling white. Do you see your new life in Christ this way? What would it take for you to recognize this reality?
- How are sinners redeemed by justice? Whose justice? What was the cost of redemption and what are its results?
[1] Isaiah began his ministry in Judah around 740 BC and prophesied for almost 60 years.
