Come now, let us reason together

[revtj]

"Come now, let us reason together,"
Says the LORD,
"Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool.
19 "If you consent and obey,
You will eat the best of the land;
20 "But if you refuse and rebel,
You will be devoured by the sword "
Truly, the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

21 How the faithful city has become a harlot,
She who was full of justice!
Righteousness once lodged in her,
But now murderers.
22 Your silver has become dross,
You drink polluted water.
23 Your rulers are rebels
And companions of thieves;
Everyone loves a bribe
And chases after rewards
They do not defend the orphan,
Nor does the widow's plea come before them.
24 Therefore the Lord GOD of hosts,
The Mighty One of Israel, declares,
"Ah, I will be relieved of My adversaries
And avenge Myself on My foes.
25 "I will also turn My hand against you,
And will smelt away your dross as with lye
And will remove all your alloy.
26 "Then I will restore your judges as at the first,
And your counselors as at the beginning;
After that you will be called the city of righteousness,
A faithful city."

27 Zion will be redeemed with justice
And her repentant ones with righteousness.
28 But transgressors and sinners will be crushed together,
And those who forsake the LORD will come to an end.

Isaiah 1:18 - 28 (cf esp. vv. 22b - 23)

Remind you of any particular nation? I believe it is saying that to rebel against God is to ignore justice and exploit the plight of those who are marginalized, isolated, abandoned & forgotten. That would include making millions from hatespeech, I think.

[RyGuy23]

I concur, rev! It's amazing how passages like this one are ignored or misinterpreted for the sake of power/money/repression.

This reminds me of the U.S. I like that line about judges...wouldn't it be nice if our country's judges were "restored." A fair court system...imagine that!

But, alas, the more important issue, according to the conservatives, is for this country not to become "the new Sodom or Gommorah." What do you bet conservatives have never heard of Zion? haha

[NonLemming]

Gives a lot to think about!

[Jennifer5]

That's one thing I can be greatful for, I'm in a christian school but although they have some views that we don't like they're really nice because they leave room for us to learn from each other.... they seem like they believe in giving everyone a chance