Free Grace Women

A Sad Outlook

“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth!  For the LORD has spoken: ‘I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me; the ox knows its owner and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, My people do not consider.’  Alas, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who are corruptors! They have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked to anger the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away backward.”  Isaiah 1:2-4 NKJV

These are the first heartbreaking words recorded in Isaiah regarding the nation of Israel.  A nation set apart, blessed, protected, and nourished by GOD is described as being composed of rebellious evildoers who are heavily burdened by their own wickedness.  Their hearts have wandered so far away from their Shepherd that He has grown to hate their sacrifices and sacred meetings.  Jehovah is no longer delighted by these wicked people and He will not hear their prayers.  

An Offer of Hope

In the midst of their rebellion, GOD offers them reconciliation.  

“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD. (verse 18a)  

He calls them to repentance.  

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.  Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” (verses 16-17)

He offers the forgiveness of sins and a renewed relationship with Him.  

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.  If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;” (verses 18b-19)

A Confusing View

This was a generous and merciful offer of forgiveness and restoration.  Unfortunately, many modern scholars view this as an offer of salvation from hell. Just a quick internet search on this passage easily shows the flawed views that are predominant.  Here are a few comments I found on Isaiah 1:18.

“In the Old Testament, God’s relationship with man was based on obedience to God.”

“It is a deeply significant symbol of the act of salvation for those who have sinned against God.”

“It teaches us that Christ will cleanse the truly repentant sinner who forsakes his sin and commits his life to Christ.”

“This is a dimly understood picture of their Messiah, Who would purge their sins and save them from hell.”

We can see that many commentators view Isaiah chapter 1 as an offer of eternal salvation, or salvation from hell.  This view is tied up in the idea that we must repent and do good works in order to obtain eternal life.

The Clear Picture

But as we can clearly see throughout the Scriptures, eternal life is a gift not earned by works.  

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV

We also see that we must abide in Christ, remain faithful, and be obedient to be fruitful and have an intimate relationship with God.  

“I am the True Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.”

“Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”  John 15:1,4 NKJV

When we are entrenched in sin and selfishness, we must turn to our Father in repentance.  We do not repent for eternal life, but for forgiveness and restoration.  After David committed adultery and murder, God “reasoned” with him and put away his sin, and their fellowship was restored.  In Psalm 51, we read David’s prayer of repentance.  

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.  Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.  Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.”  Psalm 51:7-9 NKJV

The people of Israel, just like David, were never required to work or obey to gain eternal life.  Eternal life is a gift given by Jesus to all who believe.  Forgiveness and restoration are earned by repentance. 

What a beautiful picture we see in Isaiah 1 of a God Who pleads with His people to wash themselves, turn from their wickedness, and receive the bountiful blessings of fellowship and obedience!

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