Isa 1:18, 41:1 | JFB | STEP | 18. God deigns to argue the case with us, that all may see the just, nay, loving principle of His dealings with men ( ). scarlet-- the color of Jesus Christ's robe when bearing our "sins" ( ). So Rahab's thread ( ; compare ). The rabbins say that when the lot used to be taken, a scarlet fillet was bound on the scapegoat's head, and after the high priest had confessed his and the people's sins over it, the fillet became white: the miracle ceased, according to them, forty years before the destruction of Jerusalem, that is, exactly when Jesus Christ was crucified; a remarkable admission of adversaries. Hebrew for "scarlet" radically means double-dyed; so the deep-fixed permanency of sin in the heart, which no mere tears can wash away. snow-- ( ). Repentance is presupposed, before sin can be made white as snow ( , ); it too is God's gift ( , Lam 5:21, Acts 5:31). red-- refers to "blood" ( ). as wool-- restored to its original undyed whiteness. This verse shows that the old fathers did not look only for transitory promises (Article VII, Book of Common Prayer). For sins of ignorance, and such like, alone had trespass offerings appointed for them; greater guilt therefore needed a greater sacrifice, for, "without shedding of blood there was no remission"; but none such was appointed, and yet forgiveness was promised and expected; therefore spiritual Jews must have looked for the One Mediator of both Old Testament and New Testament, though dimly understood.

‏ Isaiah 1:18

18. God deigns to argue the case with us, that all may see the just, nay, loving principle of His dealings with men (Is 43:26).

scarlet--the color of Jesus Christ's robe when bearing our "sins" (Mt 27:28). So Rahab's thread (Jos 2:18; compare Le 14:4). The rabbins say that when the lot used to be taken, a scarlet fillet was bound on the scapegoat's head, and after the high priest had confessed his and the people's sins over it, the fillet became white: the miracle ceased, according to them, forty years before the destruction of Jerusalem, that is, exactly when Jesus Christ was crucified; a remarkable admission of adversaries. Hebrew for "scarlet" radically means double-dyed; so the deep-fixed permanency of sin in the heart, which no mere tears can wash away.

snow--(Psa 51:7). Repentance is presupposed, before sin can be made white as snow (Is 1:19, 20); it too is God's gift (Jr 31:18, Lam 5:21, Acts 5:31).

red--refers to "blood" (Is 1:15).

as wool--restored to its original undyed whiteness. This verse shows that the old fathers did not look only for transitory promises (Article VII, Book of Common Prayer). For sins of ignorance, and such like, alone had trespass offerings appointed for them; greater guilt therefore needed a greater sacrifice, for, "without shedding of blood there was no remission"; but none such was appointed, and yet forgiveness was promised and expected; therefore spiritual Jews must have looked for the One Mediator of both Old Testament and New Testament, though dimly understood.

‏ Isaiah 41:1

CHAPTER 41 Is 41:1-29. Additional Reasons Why the Jews Should Place Confidence in God's Promises of Delivering Them; He Will Raise Up a Prince as Their Deliverer, Whereas the Idols Could Not Deliver the Heathen Nations from That Prince.

1. (Zec 2:13). God is about to argue the case; therefore let the nations listen in reverential silence. Compare Ge 28:16, 17, as to the spirit in which we ought to behave before God.

before me--rather (turning), "towards me" [Maurer].

islands--including all regions beyond sea (Jr 25:22), maritime regions, not merely isles in the strict sense.

renew ... strength--Let them gather their strength for the argument; let them adduce their strongest arguments (compare Is 1:18; Job 9:32). "Judgment" means here, to decide the point at issue between us.