The Lord Condemns Jerusalem
February 3, 2023
Commentary
Isaiah didn’t stop with the diagnosis of their sin but he gives a prescription for righteousness. If they would cleanse themselves by repenting and turning from their sin, then God would wipe the record clean in response to their faith (vv. 18-20). Scarlet or crimson, was the color of a deep red permanent dye, and its deep stain was virtually impossible to remove. The stain of sin seems equally permanent, but God can and will remove these stains from our lives as he promised to do for the Israelites. God’s Word assures us of this if we are willing and obedient to His instruction.
Some of the sins Isaiah tells Judah they are guilty of are murder (v. 2l), robbery, bribery, and exploiting the helpless (vv 22-23), as well as the worship of heathen idols. He compares the actions of His people to a harlot. The tragedy was that many of the worshipers in the temple participated in these evil practice. The rulers put on a religious facade to cover up their crimes and the people let them get away with it. God promises to take vengence on His enemies (v. 24).
The concluding verses of this chapter serve as a reminder to the people of Judah that even though they are in danger of judgement, God is willing to offer them salvation (vv. 25-31). He promised to refine his people the same way that metal is purged with lye in a smelting pot (v. 25). This process involves melting the metal and skimming off the impurities until the worker can see his own image in the liquid metal.
Application
God promised to refine His people similar to the way metal is purged in a smelting pot. I must be willing to submit to God and allow Him to remove my sin so that I might reflect His image.
Isaiah 1:18– 31 (NET)
18 Come, let’s consider your options,” says the Lord. “Though your sins have stained you like the color red, you can become white like snow; though they are as easy to see as the color scarlet, you can become white like wool.
19 If you have a willing attitude and obey, then you will again eat the good crops of the land.
20 But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” Know for certain that the Lord has spoken.
21 How tragic that the once-faithful city has become a prostitute! She was once a center of justice; fairness resided in her— but now only murderers!
22 Your silver has become scum, your beer is diluted with water.
23 Your officials are rebels, they associate with thieves. All of them love bribery, and look for payoffs. They do not take up the cause of the orphan, or defend the rights of the widow.
24 Therefore, the Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the Powerful One of Israel, says this: “Ah, I will seek vengeance against my adversaries, I will take revenge against my enemies.
25 I will attack you; I will purify your metal with flux. I will remove all your slag.
26 I will reestablish honest judges as in former times, wise advisers as in earlier days. Then you will be called, ‘The Just City, Faithful Town.’”
27 Zion will be freed by justice, and her returnees by righteousness.
28 All rebellious sinners will be shattered, those who abandon the Lord will perish.
29 Indeed, they will be ashamed of the sacred trees you find so desirable; you will be embarrassed because of the sacred orchards where you choose to worship.
30 For you will be like a tree whose leaves wither, like an orchard that is unwatered.
31 The powerful will be like a thread of yarn, their deeds like a spark; both will burn together, and no one will put out the fire.
Illustration: Putting Chocolate Syrup in the Lawnmower
I have a riding lawnmower which has served me faithfully. With the mower came an instruction book, the truth which sets the mower free to do that for which it was created. Now suppose that I want to give my mower a special treat, because it has served me faithfully for 12 years. So I fill the gas tank with chocolate syrup. We all know that chocolate syrup is more fun than gasoline, it tastes better; it’s a real treat. But the lawnmower will be destroyed. Why? Because its freedom to perform requires submission to the law of lawnmower liberty. (Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author).