Isaiah 1:18-20 English Standard Version
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.
19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;
20 but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
This is the Word of the Lord given to Isaiah about Judah. This is not the Word of the Lord given to us about us. Let us reason together, as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, as to how we should use this Word rightly.
The first thing that should be established is in coming together. Is this the place to do that? Is it physical or spiritual? We are all in Christ together. Is that where we can reason together?
Was Judah at that time able to come before the Lord?
We can come before the Lord because of what the Lord has done for us, that had not yet been done in Judah. The Word of the Lord says “shall be” as in the future. That is a future we stand in. We can stand before the Lord only because of the sacrifice Christ made for us, and now here we stand.
This Word given to Judah is in full quotes. This part does not end until verse 20 and should not be parsed. So often we parse scriptures because we want to hear and believe in part but leave out the parts that might not suit us. Ignoring scripture does not make the meaning disappear.
Judah’s concerns were over their inheritance which was the land and the law was given to show them how to receive the goodness from the land. We live by grace not by law. Our provisions are not tied to obedience. We should be willing and obedient for a different reason.
The nations around Judah oppressed them and the hedge of protection provided by the Lord was lifted because of rebellion on their part. That is historical.
“The mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Revelation 1:16 English Standard Version (ESV) In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
By reason of Him who sits on the throne.