Isaiah 1:18

New International Version (NIV)

“Come now, let us settle the matter,”
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.

For Meditation

I find it very interesting as I read these words of Isaiah today. Observe that Isaiah is historically reported to have been sawed into two (Heb. 11:37b) by Manasseh, who, by my estimation, was the most evil and wicked king Judah ever had (2 Kings 21:1-18). Obviously, the king didn’t take kindly to the condemnations and warnings the prophet brought from God to him. If it sounds strange to you, note that the same Manasseh “sacrificed his own son in the fire (6).” Isn’t it ironic then that when this same wicked Manasseh was in distress in exile, he took the counsel of the prophet he killed and, “sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly” in prayer for God’s forgiveness and restoration to his kingdom (2 Chron. 33:10-13)?

1. But why did God forgive Manasseh? Didn’t Manasseh reject His rebuke and warnings (2 Chron. 33:10)? Didn’t he practice divination and cause Judah to practice idolatry, arousing His anger (2 Kings 21:6)?
2. So, why was he seeking God’s favor, now that he was in trouble and greatly distressed (2 Chron. 33:12-13)? If God had not sent Manasseh into exile by means of “a hook in his nose” like a fish, “bound … with bronze shackles” (11), would he have repented? “What does he take God for”, we may have said.
3. But, is that not why He is God and we are human? While we get so wounded by human wickedness and dig firmly into unforgiveness, do you see how God, in His mercy and grace, calls us to come for reconciliation (Is. 1:18)? When King Manasseh finally took the counsel of Isaiah and repented, didn’t God forgive him? Otherwise, how would he have known “that the LORD is God (2 Chron. 33:13).”
4. Likewise, how would we have known that the LORD is God, had it not been for His love demonstrated through Christ Jesus (Jn. 3:16; Rm. 5:8)? How would we have been reconciled to the God we offended so much (2 Cor. 5:18-19), if His mercy had not kissed grace on Calvary for our redemption (Eph. 2: 4-5, 8-9; 1 Pt. 1:3)?
5. Why then is anyone holding out? Even though you may have rejected Jesus and called Him names, God will forgive you, just as He forgave Manasseh when he repented. So, why not come and “settle the matter” of sin and reconciliation to God through Christ Jesus, the One in whose name alone mankind must be saved (Acts 4:12)?

I pray that those of us who profess Jesus will realize that as Isaiah’s prophecy was God’s call to His people, Israel, to repentance; this same call is repeated to us, His children, through the Apostle John (1 Jn. 1: 8-9).

So: May we respond by coming to God’s throne of grace to settle every matter of sin and struggle in our lives with Him; and may the mercy and grace of God embrace us through Christ Jesus, our Lord (Heb. 4:16). To Him be eternal praise and glory, amen!

No sin is beyond the forgiveness of our merciful and gracious God through Christ Jesus.

Shalom