A devotional on Isaiah 1:18
“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.” (Isa 1:18, ESV)
Isaiah 1 opens with a strong rebuke—God’s people have turned away, they have neglected justice, their worship has become hollow, and their hearts are stained with the sin of rebellion. Yet in the midst of judgment comes this invitation: “Come now, let us reason together.” God doesn’t turn His back. Instead, He calls His people close to talk about reconciliation.
Notice the imagery: scarlet and crimson—deep, set-in stains that no human effort can wash away. In those days there were shellfish used to dye cloth. Once the dye was set in, you could not remove it. This is what Isaiah is saying. There is a stain on the human soul that you cannot do anything about. But God can. God promises cleansing that makes us white as snow, pure as wool. This is not a surface clean but a total transformation, something only God Himself can do through forgiveness.
For the people of Israel, this meant turning back to God in faith and obedience to the covenant. For us, this points directly to Christ. On the cross, Jesus bore our scarlet stains so that we could wear His spotless righteousness. The gospel is not God ignoring our sins but God removing them, making us truly clean, then setting us back on the right course.
Reflection question: Where are you still trying to “scrub away” your own stains? Instead, hear God’s invitation today—draw near, confess, and let Him wash you white as snow.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for inviting me to reason with You, even in my sin. Thank You that through Jesus, my scarlet stains are made white as snow. Help me to walk today not in shame, but in the freedom of Your forgiveness. Amen.
4-Day Reading Plan: Historical Context for Isaiah (Isaiah 2-5)
- Day 1: Isaiah 2
- Day 2: Isaiah 3
- Day 3: Isaiah 4
- Day 4: Isaiah 5
For more Recommended Resources on the book of Isaiah, click here.
