The first chapter of the Book of Isaiah has a total of 31 verses, great verses too!
A dozen sermons (surely I understate the fact) await its perusal, its study.
But I feel led to focus on verses 18-20, one of the better known Texts in all of the Old Testament!
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 1:18-20
This vast (Wisdom-filled) Statement essentially houses the basic Message of all the Prophets of the Bible. (No doubt this is Holy Spirit inspired! As is ALL the Word of God.)
The opening verb, “to reason” (in Hebrew “yakach”) is a word basically meaning “to judge.” Like … God is here taking the Nation (Judah) to court! Among its 59 Bible usages (in the whole Old Testament), the word is translated “to reason” only twice! But 23 times it means “to rebuke,” in the King James Bible! And 12 more times “to rebuke!” It is “to correct” 3 times. And even “chasten” twice! Get this: “argue” once!
Surprisingly, the verb is NOT an invitation to simple dialogue! (I have learned something today already.) It is God Almighty WARNING an errant people! The verse is a subpoena!
A “choice” is being offered Israel, well Judah.
“Scarlet” sins imply souls/hearts/lives that are deeply “stained” with rebellion, wrongdoing! Sins that are clearly visible … from afar, thus called “red.”
While “white” (as snow) … implies those sins being cleansed, having been washed away, the stains totally removed! Oh, praise the Lord!
So … our stern Judge has a heart of mercy and grace, in reality! Though He does mean what He says, no empty threats in this Passage.
“Red like crimson” and “as wool” (white, clean, pure) restate the same word picture. MY sins can be gone, those spots of filth removed … God is here offering forgiveness to that amazing extent!
“Wool” … like a little lamb, or a freshly bathed ram or ewe … a member of the “flock!” Well cared for … by a Good Shepherd, the Best! (“The LORD is my Shepherd!”)
But God’s Speech here contains an “if,” two “ifs” actually! And what a difference between them. An “if” of obedience, and an “if” of disobedience!
“IF ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but IF ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword.” Isaiah 1:19-20
In sum, IF you obey, God will bless you.
IF you do not obey, God will discipline (chastise) you.
Obey … your land will be fruitful.
Or disobey … an enemy will come with his sword!
Wow!
The overall Message of the Prophets … indeed!
But look how the Text ends … “for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.”
Yes, a Sermon from Isaiah … but behind His man stands really the God of Creation. The God of Righteousness. The God of Calvary too!
Amen.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell