March 18, 2023: Let Us Debate In Court

"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." (Isaiah 1:18, ESV)

At first, this verse seems like an invitation to sit with God and discuss the sinful patterns that occupy Judah's life. But the word translated as 'reason' really means "let us debate our case in court."*** God wants to bring the case public so that all of Judah knows He has the evidence to convict them fully. This is true of all of our lives. We have no righteousness that could stand before God.

Only Isaiah the prophet can give such hope as he does at the start of this trial of Judah before God. He calls out Judah's sin as crimson and scarlet, easily seen. The sin of the nation stands out. But all our sin before a Holy God plainly stands out. There is no hiding it. All we can do is confess it, declare ourselves guilty, and cry out to God for mercy.

He renders the sentence as He tries us. We know we are guilty. Yet, amid our scarlet guilt, He declares, "I will make you white as snow!" Only a loving merciful God can do that! Though our sin makes us guilty as crimson, He offers to make us white like wool! A wise person would quickly receive what God offers and then be eternally grateful for the rest of his life!

***(TWBOT; Harris, Archer. Moody Press.)