“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.”
Come, let us reason together. The Bible verse means that God is calling His people to return to Him in genuine repentance so as to obtain His forgiveness and mercy.
God is speaking these words to the children of Israel, who have apparently rebelled against Him (Isaiah 1:3). He uses very strong words to describe their departure from His ways. He calls them ‘a sinful nation,’ ‘a people laden with iniquity,’ ‘a brood of evil doers,’ and ‘corrupt children’ (Isaiah 1:4).
He describes their ‘whole head as being sick’ because of their many sins. He also describes their heart as faint. He further intimates that their ‘entire body is sick, beginning from the sole of their feet to the head!’ (Isaiah 1:5-6).
Consequently, God has wounded and bruised them. Their bodies are thus full of sores that are yet to be closed or bound up or soothed with ointment (Isaiah 1:6).
In addition, because of their rebellion, God has allowed their country to become desolate. He has also allowed their cities to be razed down with fire. He has further allowed strangers to harass and overthrow them from their own land (Isaiah 1:7).
Now, because of their sinful ways, God is instructing them to stop bringing Him sacrifices and offerings. He even warns them against praying to Him because He won’t answer them unless they repent of their ways! (Isaiah 1:11-15).
Therefore, it is within this context that God is calling them to return to Him with repentant hearts and seek for His mercy. In this regard, God is asking them to wash themselves and become clean. He is asking them to cease from doing evil and instead pursue what is good. He is further asking them to be just in all their dealings by reproving the oppressor, defending the fatherless, and championing the cause of the widows (Isaiah 1:16-17).
So in Isaiah 1:18, God is calling upon them to genuinely return to Him, in true repentance, so that He may forgive and restore them.
This call is also echoed in several scriptures in the Old Testament, including the following:
“For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)
“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake His way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)
“Put me in remembrance; let us contend together; state your case, that you may be acquitted.” (Isaiah 43:26)
“The LORD has been very angry with your fathers. Therefore, say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Return to me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.’” (Zechariah 1:3)
Lesson for us:
Just like the children of Israel, God is calling each one of us to return to Him in true repentance so that we may obtain mercy. He is asking us to forsake evil and do what is good.
But how do we return to Him? To do so, He is instructing us to be just; to do what is lawful and right; to shun idolatry; to flee from adultery and other forms of sexual sin; to desist from oppressing others; to keep from swindling others; to pay all our pledges and debts; and to take care of the needy. If we do all these, we are going to live (Ezekiel 18:4-9).
God calls us to return to Him with all our hearts. That is with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. He is calling us to rend our hearts and not our garments (implying genuine repentance). When we do so, He promises to take away our punishment and bless us instead (Joel 2:12-14).
God wants us to execute true justice. He wants us to show others mercy and compassion. He warns us against oppressing the widow, the fatherless, the stranger, and those who are poor. He further instructs us to stop scheming evil against brethren (Zechariah 7:9-10).
I hope this is helpful. Shalom.
Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/
‘Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To him who loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.’ (Revelation 1:4-6)
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