Correspondence: Scarlet-Crimson, Snow-Wool; Psa. 49:8

From: Young Christian: Volume 10, 1920

Psalm 49:8; Isaiah 1:18 • 2 min. read • grade level: 6

Question: Can you tell me the difference between “scarlet,” and “red like crimson,” and “white as snow,” and “wool,” in Isaiah 1:18¹⁸Come 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. (Isaiah 1:18)?

Answer: “Crimson” is a deeper dye than “scarlet.” We are informed that it is obtained by a more intense process. So, scarlet in this verse would represent one whose sins were glaringly bad, sins that everyone could see that had eyes, to see. But “crimson” would show how those sins and evil ways had been long enslaving the soul. Yet there is power in the grace of God through the blood of Christ to deliver the one who is most deeply enslaved. “White as snow” expresses how clean the scarlet sinner, who believes on the Lord, is washed. “As wool” tells how every difficulty is overcome. The hopeless, helpless sinner who comes to the Saviour, is not only cleansed, every whit made clean, but is also set free from the slavery of sin and Satan’s power (Luke 8:35³⁵Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. (Luke 8:35)).

Question: What does Psalm 49:8⁸(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) (Psalm 49:8), “The redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth forever,” mean? A. B. S.

Answer: This parenthetical verse is put in where men are seeking after riches and trusting in them. (Read Matt. 16:26²⁶For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26); Mark 8:36, 37³⁶For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? ³⁷Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36‑37); Luke 12:20, 21²⁰But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? ²¹So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:20‑21).) How precious the redemption of the soul is compared with the obtaining of the perishing things of earth. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

“And it ceaseth forever.” When the narrow boundary line of this life is passed, eternity to the soul has begun, and no change can come. The die is cast, the soul is lost or saved, there is no redemption beyond death. “After this the judgment.” How solemn.

“Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation” 2 Corinthians 6:2²(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2). Beyond death there is a great gulf fixed between the saved and the unsaved. (Heb. 9:27²⁷And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27); Luke 16:26²⁶And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. (Luke 16:26)).

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