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

Thumbing through the pile of advertisements and “sales-pitch” circulars just pulled from my mailbox, a smaller—yet more finely-fibered—square envelope nearly slips through my fingers… but as I grab at it, an instant response of piqued interest generates in my mind. This envelope is personally addressed! It’s evident that I am either holding a “thank-you” note or an invitation. And since I can’t remember any needed appreciation for an indebtedness, this must be an invitation to an event. This envelope will be opened first! Most of the time, the joyful anticipation of the pending occasion is coupled with the gratitude of being included, and I immediately begin imagining the purview of the entire experience.

It took six chapters into the book of Isaiah for the prophet to give his testimony of how God invited him to proclaim prophetic warnings and blessings to both Israel and Judah, while the Assyrians were conquering the world (Isaiah 6:1-13). So anxious was the prophet to warn God’s people of their wickedness that he bypasses any credible introductory remarks to warn Judah of just how “ladened with iniquity” these people were—”from the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it,” (Isaiah 1:4, 6).

But, finally, at the heart of this chapter, as if a brief pivot from the doom of pending national tragedy, there lies an invitation, “Come now, let us reason together…” This was no small “envelope-in-the-box” type of event. This was the prophet himself walking the residential streets of Jerusalem and the surrounding villages, declaring divine forgiveness in light of genuine repentance. This was Isaiah standing in the courts of the Temple with outstretched arms, calling forth all who would repent to come forth for a “whitewashing” of their sin!

Reluctance to respond to such invitations is often due to the stark reality of sin… our sin! The analogy of sins being “like scarlet” is striking. “Scarlet,” a deep, vivid red is often associated with suffering and shame, a “stain” not easily removed. This conjures strong emotional responses, reminding us of our shortcomings, our weight of guilt, and our overwhelming defeat.

But, the Lord, knowing of this state of affairs, presents a contrast so powerful that it entirely shifts our focus! Our sins stain our souls with a condemning redness; His promise is to remove and cleanse them to an unblemished whiteness! In the ancient world, white woolen garments were often worn on special occasions, symbolizing the joy of being in right relationship with others and especially with God.

The prophet’s word-pictures provide a wonderful opportunity to symbolically observe a spiritual transformation! The words used indicate God’s assurance to bring about such a change in the lives of people who will heed His welcoming invitation… and He does it instantly and with powerful certainty!

God the Father now offers through His Son an invitation (Matthew 11:28-29) to anyone desiring to break out of seemingly overwhelming and irreparable sin and come to the celebration of love, forgiveness, and spiritual rest.

By Bill Niblette, Ph.D., Bible League International contributor, Pennsylvania U.S.