Reason—not Negotiation | The Institute for Creation Research

Reason—not Negotiation

“Come 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).

Perhaps the term “reason together” conjures up images of two parties seated at the bargaining table ready to discuss issues and negotiate a compromise. Nothing could be further from the truth. The words “reason together” have been translated from one Hebrew word that means to be right, or to correct, to justify, or convict. It is not two parties bringing their own private view to the table. It is that there is only one correct and just perception of the matter. And the inviter (God Himself) says, “let us see this correctly together.”

This matter of reason together is illustrated in the word “rebuke.” When God appeared to Laban, Jacob’s father-in-law, in a dream (Genesis 31:24), God “rebuked” Laban because he pursued Jacob with evil in his heart. The truth of the matter was Jacob had endured grievous things at the hand of Laban (Genesis 31:38–41), and as Jacob said, “God hath seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight” (Genesis 31:42).

A look at David’s use of rebuke in Psalm 6 brings one back to the subject at hand in Isaiah 1. David prays, “O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure” (Psalm 6:1). David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, does not address a Father who is pernicious in His anger! The Lord is “angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11). The wicked are chained in their unbelief. David’s prayers are laced with cries for mercy (Psalm 4:1; 5:7; 9:13; etc.). David understood that apart from belief in God’s merciful sacrifice, we must all wear our own sin like a bloody garment (Isaiah 64:6). But God offers to give us truth; He offers to set that truth before us. The truth on the table is our Savior on the cross. CJH

The Latest
NEWS
A Uniquely Designed Air-Filled Sac Within Birds’ Lungs
Soaring birds are a majestic sight to behold, especially when they undergo such climbing and endless spiraling so effortlessly. Not surprisingly, evolutionists...

NEWS
Liberty and the Word of God
“And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts” (Psalm 119:45). July 4th is called Independence Day here in our country because on...

NEWS
July 2025 ICR Wallpaper
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome...

NEWS
Valued Longtime ICR Employee Mary Smith Retires
Mary Morris Smith, an employee of the Institute for Creation Research for many years, has retired. The second daughter of ICR founder Dr. Henry M. Morris...

NEWS
Man of Science, Man of God: George Washington Carver
Who:  George Washington Carver What: Father of Modern Agriculture When: 1864 or 1865 – January 5, 1943 Where: Diamond Grove,...

ACTS & FACTS
The Scopes Monkey Trial: A Battle of Worldviews
Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, Tennessee, and its statue of William Jennings Bryan Image credit: M. Mueller The Scopes Monkey...

ACTS & FACTS
Long Non-Coding RNAs: The Unsung Heroes of the Genome
Evolutionary theory holds that all living things came about through random, natural processes. So conventional scientists believe the genome has developed...

ACTS & FACTS
Yosemite National Park, Part 1: Tiny Clues of a Grand Picture
Yosemite National Park in California is a sure source of stunning scenery. It’s no wonder that American naturalist John Muir persuaded President...

ACTS & FACTS
From Inference to Theory: A Common Design Case Study
Without a doubt, humans, chimpanzees, and other organisms share similar features. An early explanation was that these features reflect similar designs...

ACTS & FACTS
Creation Kids: T. rex
by Michael Stamp and Susan Windsor* You're never too young to be a creation scientist and explore our Creator's world. Kids, discover...