Isaiah 1:18-20 Washing Away Sin
Isaiah 1:18-20 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. “If you consent and obey, You will eat the best of the land; “But if you refuse and rebel, You will be devoured by the sword.” Truly, the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
In the previous verses (16-17) God appealed to a sense of morality and personal will. In these verses God chooses to appeal to the intellect of man and gives them a choice. And as a good parent, God instructs Israel of their consequences if they should choose to disobey. Note their future is not set in stone. God has not made up His mind as to the course of history. There is a choice.
God does equate the color red with sin. He uses metaphorical language to express this concept. The color or sin can be washed away but there is a condition. They must change their mind and change their actions. God reminds them two times that their sin can be washed away.
In comparing the two options, there is obedience or rebellion. Not only will their sin be washed away but the land will become productive and they will have the best. If they choose to disobey, death will occur by war. The last sentence of the verse seals the deal as an established fact. The Lord has spoken. One of these two options is going to happen.
In our case, we are on the other side of the cross. We have a choice to make regarding this same metaphorical language. We have crimson stained sins that are the issue. And our sins can be washed away as well. Our choice is to believe that Jesus washed away those scarlet sins once and for all.
1 Corinthians 6:11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—
Not only is this true for us, but it will also be true for those in the future who are living during the great tribulation. People will find cleanliness in the blood of Christ.
Revelation 7:14 I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Past, present, and future, God has always been interested in washing away our sins.
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