A Reasonable Offer?

Text: Isaiah 1.10-20

"Come now, let us reason together," seems an odd thing for God to say here. In light of the litany of misdeeds condemned in the preceding verses, it is utterly unreasonable, one would think, to say, "though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."

The same God who has rejected all sacrifices and offerings now makes an offer himself. All will be forgiven if his people simply turn their hearts back to him. Unreasonable? Yes. A God who would have every right to pour out his wrath instead offers mercy and pardon if his people will repent.

But the repentance of the people must be genuine. They must "cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause." In other words, they must do exactly the opposite of what their fallen nature tells them to do. They must look to the interests, not of themselves, but of others, especially the weakest among them.

Once again, this seems utterly unreasonable. But that is the whole point. God wants his people to realize they are nothing without him. They cannot rely on their rituals and solemn assemblies as though they were ends in themselves. They must turn to him with their whole heart and rely on him, not themselves, to make everything right.

God alone is sovereign. In his mercy, he offers forgiveness to those who truly turn to him. But even his offer of forgiveness includes a reminder of the consequences of refusal. "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat of the good of the land," he says, "but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."