Cleansing from Sin

# Lesson 16 Cleansing from Sin

"The Lord says: 'Come now, let us reason together. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'" – Isaiah 1:18

Isaiah was one of the four major prophets. He served as a prophet to the kingdom of Judah in the south during a time when the northern kingdom of Israel had been destroyed by the Assyrians. Isaiah lived during the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. He was called by the Lord in the year King Uzziah died. We can estimate his active ministry spanned approximately 745-695 B.C., meaning he prophesied for about 50 years. He wrote the book of Isaiah, which contains 66 chapters. Perhaps because it is the longest of the prophetic books, the book of Isaiah is placed first among the prophetic writings. The main theme of this book is "prophecies concerning the Messiah and salvation," and Isaiah is also called the "prophet of the Messiah." This book reveals that God is holy—He so abhors sin that He will execute judgment, yet He also loves mankind deeply and offers a program of salvation for all who repent and return to Him.

The first chapter of Isaiah can be divided into four sections: section one, verses 1-15, speaks of the sins of Judah; section two, verses 16-20, contains a call for the people to repent; section three, verses 21-23, speaks of the sins of Israel; section four, verses 24-31, speaks of "the judgment of the Lord." After describing the sins of Judah and the broken relationship between them and the Lord, God still offers them hope to return to Him. The Lord sets out nine things they must do to receive salvation without facing judgment. Verse 16 mentions the first four things related to their personal sinful condition: "Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong." Verse 17 describes the next five steps they must take: "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." These same things are also mentioned in the New Testament. In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul says, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10); and James advises, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27).

Verse 18 states: "The Lord says: 'Come now, let us reason together. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'" The Lord invites the people to come and speak with Him, to present their reasons and arguments. He offers them the opportunity to repent, even though their sins are "scarlet" or "red as crimson," for He will make them "as white as snow" and "like wool." We know that a red stain deeply set into fabric is extremely difficult, nearly impossible, to remove completely through human effort alone, yet God can do it—and He will cleanse us completely! Verse 18 shows that our accumulated sins can only be completely cleansed by the power and grace of God—this is certain for those who repent and return to Him! Then in verses 19 and 20, the Lord presents two paths for them to choose. He says, "If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.' For the mouth of the Lord has spoken." If they wish to receive His blessings and redemption, they must repent and obey Him; if not, they will instead face God's judgment and receive death. This is the very word He has spoken!

For us today, from the prophecy Isaiah spoke from the Lord, we learn that God has given us a source of hope to receive salvation and enjoy His abundant blessings. We need only repent of our sins, turn from the path of wickedness, avoid evil, do good, care for orphans and widows, obey Him, and live righteously before the Lord always! Only God can completely cleanse us from sin—even if we are "red as crimson," we shall become "white as snow"! We thank God for His compassion and mercy toward us, for He has given us a way to return to Him before we stray too far! We pray that the Lord will help us avoid sin, live with increasing holiness, and become ever more like Him! Amen!

We give thanks for God's love so high, His absolute power endures eternally still! He cleanses away our sin in full, Making us pure white in His presence each day, dear Father!

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