READ: Is. 1:10-20
‘Come now, and 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 be as wool.’ – Is. 1:18
In God’s eyes, His people have become like Sodom and Gomorrah. He will punish them, but in His grace He will still leave a remnant. From verse 10, Isaiah continues speaking to leaders and people. They haven’t repented; instead, they combine injustice and evil with religious behavior.
Outwardly, they serve God, but not with their hearts. They offer sacrifices and pray even with lifted hands (compare with 1 Tim. 2:8). They want to keep God on their side but do not show Him their love. God sees no genuine repentance or sincere gratitude in them. He detests double-minded worship and rejects ritualistic veneration that lacks heartfelt commitment. God doesn’t reject the sacrifices or the action of attending church itself, but their misuse. He doesn’t want a double life: devout on Sundays but willful during the week, practicing injustice towards the poor and widows.
The Lord is not seeking the downfall of His people. He wants to see repentance and conversion. Verse 16,17: Wash yourself, make yourself clean! Show true sorrow! Cease from doing evil! Seek justice! God exercises justice but is also ready to forgive (v.18).
Isaiah invites the people to receive God’s grace of forgiveness: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Red is the color of blood, crime, revolution. The LORD wants to remove those dreadful sins. He wants to make them as white as snow, as white as wool.
White is the color of innocence, purity, and peace. Even the deepest red of the worst sin can be turned, through the LORD’s grace, into the purest white. In this, Isaiah already points to Christ, who will give His life on Golgotha for this purpose. Forgiving grace and true life come solely from God. If you reject Him in unbelief, you’ll be destroyed (v.20). However, if you accept Him, you’ll receive goodness (v.19).
How can you serve the LORD with a divided heart?
Singing: Ps. 65:2