When I was a child, the hardest moments I can remember were when my mother would call me into the bedroom for a "talk." This usually happened when I had shown my not-too-pretty colors--I could have an arrogant and rebellious mouth from time to time. My mother never spanked me (not because she didn't believe in spankings. She did spank my brother a few times) because I think she knew that "reasoning with me" was more torturous than the spanking could ever be. Honestly, there were many times I would have preferred a beating. And it wasn't because she used horrible, berating, cursing words. She was always very reasonable. That was the bad part; her talks served to reveal to me how very wrong and rebellious I had acted, and I was ashamed more than I was angry. I knew my mother loved me; I knew I had disappointed her; and that realization was worse than any physical punishment she could have imposed. Restitution often consisted of a tearful apology and some extra chores. I always knew, never doubted, that she loved me, and that I had been restored into her good graces.
Isaiah's full word in a nut shell is that God will punish His disobedient, rebellious people; but afterward, He will restore them and extend His love and mercy. Isaiah the prophet of God was also Isaiah the father of sons, and would well have understood the dynamics of rebellious children and a loving parent who wants only the best for his family.
In Isaiah Chapter 1, God accuses the people of bringing meaningless offerings and joining evil assemblies (13), of being violent (15) and murderous (21). He says, "Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water. Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow's case does not come before them" (22-23). This could have been written here and now!
But in the midst of the accusations is this conditional promise: "'Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. 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 as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.' For the mouth of the Lord has spoken" (16b-20).
What love! Who are we that God Almighty would say, "Come let us reason together"? Imagine what He could have said--zap! "you're gone!" But He didn't. He got down on His knee and looked us in the eyes and reasoned.
God is a loving Father, to His nations and to us as individuals."My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in" (Prov. 3:11-12).
12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us], and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be partakers of his holiness.
12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
"For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may endure for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).
Lord God, Holy One of Israel, I recognize Your Hand of authority and discipline. Bring my rebellious heart into submission, and my rebellious nation to its knees, that we may all be restored to You, for You love us. Thank You for desiring only the best for us, and for bringing about Your purpose and will, even though sometimes it is hard. Amen
1:18 "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.
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