Isaiah 1:18-20
"Come now, let us settle the matter [let us reason together]," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." --
God is pleading with His people, with us, to come to our senses (reason together) and recognize how all of our poor choices, missing the mark of perfection--sins--are complicating our lives and causing all our problems and troubles. Sins are not black, they are a deep red, a scarlet or crimson. But God is offering a way to "clean up" all the messes, making them as pristine as the new fallen snow, as bright white as the newly shorn fleece of wool.
"If you are willing and obedient," --
We need to decide to choose His ways and pay attention to do what He tells us to do.
"You will eat the good things of the land;" --
Doing what is right will result in our enjoying the benefits of this world.
"But if you resist and rebel", --
To decide to make our own ideas of what we want to do for ourselves instead of listening to and taking to heart His ways.
"you will be devoured by the sword." --
The consequences of bucking reality: by war, by the vote, by the cutting tongue.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
