Isaiah 1: White as Snow

How do we come to understand writings like Isaiah? The Come, Follow Me manual says the following about understanding and the testimony of Christ:

"The best way to understand prophecy is to have 'the spirit of prophecy,' which John tells us is 'the testimony of Jesus'” (Revelation 19:10).

As we come to know our Savior more, He reveals more to us, line upon line. As we continue to study she increase our testimony of Christ, we will find and understand more each time we revisit Isaiah. We will see Christ more in his words.

Isaiah 1:3 — The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

Know is the Hebrew "yada", which culturally has reference to an intimate, familial, and covenantal relationship - like a marriage. This is saying that Israel has forgotten the Savior because they have forgotten their covenant relationship that binds them to Him.

Verses 4 through 6 tell how bad it is. Israel has answered the Lord by forgetting Him and becoming a "sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters" (v.4). Then in verse 6, we read that they've done nothing to bandage and heal their wounds, their transgressions and sinful behavior. They are not trying to change.

Isaiah 1:11 — To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

Isaiah 1:13 — Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

While the people are still following parts of the law of Moses, their sacrifices and prayers are vain and futile. Jehovah later repeats this message during his early ministry in Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.If we are checking the boxes of requirement, and not changing, constantly becoming more like Christ, the box checking is vain. We might as well strain out a gnat but swallow the greater contaminate that should have certainly been filtered out.

Isaiah 1:16 — Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

Isaiah 1:17 — Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

Isaiah 1:18 — Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Despite their wickedness, and what is surely our wickedness at times, despite forgetting covenants, vain oblations, and sinful indulgence, our Redeemer says change, turn to me, and I will cleanse you. We can always turn to the Lord and be healed, it is never too late. This peace and joy found in this message is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 1:19 — If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

Repentance and change, following Christ, starts with obedience. That is the first law of heaven, and it is the first stone of the bridge. As we obey, we begin to learn the peace and joy of the Lord's way. From there, He teaches us greater light, knowledge, and joy through sacrifice, the gospel of Jesus Christ, charity, and consecration. As we follow the covenant path and strengthen our relationship with our Savior, we change and are truly happy. This is only possible through, and because of, Jesus Christ.