Obedience, a Condition of Repentance

“Come now, and let us reason together,”
    Says Yehuweh,
    “Though your sins are like scarlet,
    They shall be as white as snow;
    Though they are red like crimson,
    They shall be as wool.
If you are willing and obedient,
    You shall eat the good of the land;
But if you refuse and rebel,
    You shall be devoured by the sword”;
    For the mouth of Yehuweh has spoken (Isa 1:18-20).

Take a look a the Hebrew word translated "reason together":

yâkach yaw-kakh' A primitive root; to be right (that is, correct); reciprocally to argue; causatively to decide, justify or convict:—appoint, argue, chasten, convince, correct (-ion), daysman, dispute, judge, maintain, plead, reason (together), rebuke, reprove (-r), surely, in any wise.

It seems our Creator is issuing an invitation for us to present our case concerning how He deals with our sin. 

Look at this picture.  I will admit that this is a self-serving, un-abashed promotion for the buildings I sell (see the Master Line Inc. link above) but it illustrates the concept of our discussion.  Yehuweh is saying to us in effect, "Here is what I do with your sin when you are obedient to Me.  I challenge you to leave no stone unturned in your attempt to prove Me wrong."  This is the type of challenge that would cause Perry Mason to tremble in fear.  This challenge is issued by the Creator to His creation and there is no possible rebut.   How can we continue to wallow in sin thereby cheapening the grace and mercy of our Father (See Romans 6:1-4). 

Please notice the condition of obedience.  In order to have our sins removed from us requires repentance AND obedience.  In fact, the Scriptural concept of the word "repentance' cannot be realized without obedience.  If there is no change in direction of the individual, there obviously was no true repentance.    Also notice the promise for obedience.  There is no direct economic tie to this promise.  Although it must be understood that the Creator's blessing rests upon the property of the obedient, there is NOT a condition that the obedient be a property owner!  My point here is this:  We are headed for a time when civil rights and property may well be confiscated.  Obedience to the Word will be required for our very survival!  Spiritual survival is far more important than physical survival.

 

 

Shalom