“…though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (Isa 1:18).
These words have been hymned countless times as beautiful depictions of the cleansing work of Christ. But are they a promise or an ultimatum?
In this middle section of ch. 1, Isaiah is leveling charges against Israel, disparaging their sacrificial service of worship inasmuch as it falls within a context of oppression and injustice (1:10-14, 17).
Within this prophetic denouncement, God demands that Israel change–that Israel cleanse itself: “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil” (1:16).
So when the prophet then turns and says, “Come, let us argue it out, says YHWH, though your sins are as scarlet they shall be like snow… If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land…” is YHWH making a promise or delivering an ultimatum?
The call seems as though it could be a charge to Israel to get itself together, a last word of warning before Israel would be fully and finally disciplined with exile: “…but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; for the mouth of YHWH has spoken” (1:20).
Become white as snow… or else?
Interesting Daniel. I vote “ultimatum.” I never cease to be amazed at how many verses from my childhood & fundamentalist background are way out of context. It’s good to see a NT guy in the OT, by the way
Very fine post! I now have something to think about while I am at work today.
How did I ever read it the old way?
Thanks,
Thought provoking! Isn’t this what being a believer is about – following Him or suffering the consequences – often “captivitiy and hardship” of our own creation?
I will enjoy mulling this over today!
I always thought that scarlet-white as snow reference was about leprosy – the scarlet being the early stages of the lesions and the white being the later stages. So I read the passage not as a threat but as a diagnosis, along the lines of “you think they’re sinning NOW… just you wait…”
Wow. That’s even more subversive than my reading!