Isaiah 1:18

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Come now {H3212}, and let us reason together {H3198}, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}: though your sins {H2399} be as scarlet {H8144}, they shall be as white {H3835} as snow {H7950}; though they be red {H119} like crimson {H8438}, they shall be as wool {H6785}.

"Come now," says ADONAI, "let's talk this over together. Even if your sins are like scarlet, they will be white as snow; even if they are red as crimson, they will be like wool.

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18 (KJV)

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Commentary

This powerful verse comes after a severe denunciation of Judah's rebellion and hypocrisy. The nation is described as spiritually sick and wounded (Isaiah 1:5-6), offering empty sacrifices while neglecting justice and righteousness (Isaiah 1:11-17).

Despite their deep sin, God extends a remarkable invitation: "Come now, and let us reason together." The Hebrew word for "reason together" (נִוָּכְחָה - nivvakhah) carries a sense of pleading one's case, often in a legal or judicial context. However, here it's presented not as a summons to judgment, but as an invitation to dialogue and potential reconciliation. It highlights God's willingness to engage with His people, even in their fallen state.

The core message is God's astonishing promise of forgiveness and purification. Sins are described using vivid colors: "scarlet" and "crimson." These were dyes known for their fastness and deep richness, symbolizing how deeply ingrained and visible sin can be. Yet, God declares that these sins, no matter how deep or pervasive, can be made "white as snow" or "as wool." Snow and wool represent purity and cleansing, indicating a complete and total removal of sin's stain. This is not a superficial covering, but a radical transformation.

The verse underscores the radical nature of God's grace and power to forgive. It is a call to turn from sin and accept God's offer of cleansing. It foreshadows the ultimate cleansing made possible through Christ's sacrifice.

Key Themes:

  • God's invitation to dialogue and reconciliation.
  • The deep stain and pervasive nature of sin.
  • The complete and radical cleansing offered by God's forgiveness.
  • Hope for redemption even in the midst of severe judgment.

Cross-References:

  • For cleansing: Psalm 51:7 ("Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.")
  • For repentance and cleansing: Acts 3:19 ("Repent ye therefore... that your sins may be blotted out.")
  • For confession and cleansing: 1 John 1:9 ("If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.")

Practical Application:

This verse reminds us that no sin is too great for God to forgive. His invitation to "reason together" is open to everyone. We are called to respond to this invitation, acknowledging our sin and receiving the complete cleansing that only He can provide. It encourages us not to despair over the depth of our sin, but to trust in the boundless power of God's grace.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 44:22

    I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

  • Revelation 7:14

    And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

  • Psalms 51:7

    ¶ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

  • Isaiah 43:24

    Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

  • Isaiah 43:26

    Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

  • Micah 7:18

    Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth [in] mercy.

  • Micah 7:19

    He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
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