Here we are, in November already. Where I live in the Northern Hemisphere, before we know it, the cold winter weather will be upon us, and that includes a lot of snow. Though I don’t particularly like snow, right after a snowfall it can be a pretty sight. Looking out over a field of freshly fallen snow, the whiteness can be so bright that you almost have to shield your eyes. After traffic has gotten to the snow, though, it looks rather awful. Snow can get very dirty quite quickly, and there is no way to make it pure white again. The same is true about many things. If you spill wine, grape juice, or some other things on a white shirt, dress, or tablecloth, sometimes it is impossible to completely get the stain out without damaging the material. The prophet Isaiah had a message from the Lord which we will look at today, and in this message God tells us that He alone can get some terrible stains out, and make it bright white again.
Isaiah lived and ministered to the people of the Southern Kingdom of Judah some time between 740 - 686 BC, over a hundred years before the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. He prophesied and ministered during a time of great moral and spiritual decline in the country. Although the people still followed their religious rituals, their hearts were far from God. This was something that Isaiah repeatedly spoke out against.
As our Scripture opens, Isaiah called the country of Judah Sodom and Gomorrah (vs. 10). He equated the people as being residents of those two ancient cities. Centuries earlier God had destroyed both cities because of their utter and blatant sinfulness (Genesis 19:1-29). The people were probably not too happy to be compared with those cities, but Isaiah was clear that God was not happy with their behavior! God judged those cities, and He was ready to judge them, as well.
God spoke through His prophet Isaiah, and told the people that they were outwardly religious, they brought their sacrifices to the Temple, and offered burnt offerings to Him, but it was just external religiosity (vs. 11). There was no inward holiness in their relationship to Him. Without obedience to His commands, or genuine sincerity, God rejected these sacrifices. God desires our obedience over empty religious rituals we may follow (I Samuel 15:22). All of our church attendance, tithing, or singing hymns means nothing if our hearts are rebellious against obeying what the Bible says.
Isaiah called upon the people to repent, to stop their meaningless religious rituals, and to spiritually wash themselves and be clean from their sins (vs. 12-16). The people of Judah had been disobedient, many also combining the worship of Yahweh with pagan gods and idols, and they needed forgiveness. God was weary and sickened by their false worship, including in the Temple. Just following religious rituals does not mean there is true spiritual life inside. True worship begins with repentance, turning from sin, and doing righteousness (vs. 16-17). Repentance is not just acting sorry. It is a change of direction.
Now we come to one of the most beautiful invitations by God to mankind in all of Scripture (vs. 18). God offers full forgiveness, not through works, but through His grace. Just like snow that was once white, but now has become dirty, or an item of clothing that has been indelibly stained, a stain is brought into our life when we sin. Nothing can remove that stain except the Blood of Jesus. When we come to Jesus for salvation, He will wipe away the stains of sin and make us clean again. No sin is too deep for God’s cleansing. This points forward to Jesus Christ’s atonement (Hebrews 9:14; I John 1:7). The Blood of Jesus makes us white as snow.
As we finish the Scripture with verses 19-20, we see that God has set before His people, both at that time and also today, a choice. We can choose life or death, blessing or cursing (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). Too often, especially today, people focus only on God’s love. Yahweh is a God of love, but He is also a God of justice and judgment. God’s justice is as real as His mercy. We must choose daily to walk in obedience. Rebellion invites judgment, but submission brings blessing.
As we close, Isaiah reminds us that God desires genuine worship, not just empty rituals. When we repent of our sins, we must turn away from them and pursue righteousness. When we do, Jesus will cleanse us from our sins. God is holy and just, but also merciful and forgiving. Jesus can make the vilest sinner clean. Like the old-time hymn says, “Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.”
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