Reasoning the Reason

Both yesterday and today's readings are part of the prologue to Isaiah's message. 

Yesterday we saw how the Lord diagnosed Israel's sin and brokenness. In the verses we looked at yesterday, there was an unmistakable tone of sadness and wistfulness. Isaiah portrays God as heart-broken and irate at what their brokenness had done to them.

But we ended with and today return to a beautiful promise.

Healing . . . Restoration . . . Forgiveness.

But I love the opening phrase of verse 18:

"Come now, let us reason together . . ." The Hebrew verb "let us reason" can mean argue, adjudicate, or debate. But what's to debate?? What's to adjudicate???

Israel have sinned - the evidence is clear and incontrovertible. They are guilty and broken. Even their good deeds and religious behavior are empty and false.

So there is no debate. Nothing to adjudicate. There is no argument. Israel is guilty.  

And then God offers forgiveness!

• scarlet and crimson sins (bloodguilt) washed away


• made pure like freshly fallen snow

What . . . incredible . . . grace!

We have nothing to bring to the table. But Jesus comes to the table and offers blood-bought forgiveness for our blood-guilt. He brings us to the table and the discussion although we have no right to either.

And what is the reason for this unexpected and one-side-initiated reasoning?

It can only be God's kindness, compassion and forgiveness.

In one word: LOVE.