By: Nancy Ulerich
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.
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.
Isaiah confronts Judah with their sins. The people of Judah have come under God’s judgment for their evil acts. What God considers evil acts is pretty consistent throughout the Old and New Testaments. God detests our injustice to others, our failure to correct oppression. The people of Judah have not taken care of their widows and orphans. They have, therefore, blood on their hands. Their sins are like scarlet, a color that was double died, permanently marked in deep red.
God, however, wants to argue the case with us, “reason together,” so that all may see the just, loving principle of His dealings with men. He can clean the permanent stain of sin and make us pure white as fresh snow. Isaiah tells Judah that they can be cleansed; their sins can be forgiven, if they make a deliberate choice. If they are willing and obedient, they can eat the good of the land. So God, although He judges the behavior of the people of Judah, does not reject them as hopeless, but calls them to repent, to turn toward God so that they may have a good life. He calls us to turn toward Him and have a good life!
Prayer
Jesus, help us to see clearly Your calling to us, Your people. Throughout the ages, it has not wavered or changed. You call on us to promote justice and correct oppression, as it will be done in the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment