Bible Study February 3, 2025
Isaiah 1:16 – 18 (ESV)
“Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, 17 learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. 18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
It is interesting the things I wake up thinking about. This morning it was that my mother used a liquid called “bluing” in our laundry. I remember asking her why and she said it made the white clothes look whiter taking away the blue tint. Seems loke a paradoxical statement (but it worked) to me but it does not stop there. Our scripture today seems to say the same thing only it is not “bluing” but it is “blood.”
I googled “bluing” and here is what I found. “Bluing” in laundry refers to a liquid product that is added to a washing machine to slightly tint white fabrics with a blue hue, which helps counteract yellowing and make whites appear brighter and fresher; it essentially adds a small amount of blue dye to the fabric, making it look whiter by neutralizing yellow tones.
Key points about using bluing:
How to use:
Always dilute bluing in cold water before adding it to the wash cycle, usually a few drops or a small amount depending on the load size; pour the diluted mixture into the washer during the rinse cycle.
Purpose:
Bluing is primarily used to brighten white clothes that might have developed a yellow cast over time due to wear and tear, body oils, or even detergent residue.
Important consideration:
Adding too much bluing can result in a visible blue tint on your clothes, so always follow the instructions on the product label.
What is the paradox in comparing “bluing” to “blood.”
How to use:
Remember Jesus shed all his blood for the forgiveness of sin in our lives not a little bit but all He died for us. We know from the Gospel of Luke which describes Jesus’ sweat falling to the ground like drops of blood while he was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. We use His blood by asking for forgiveness of the wrongs in our life.
Purpose:
A two fold purpose is seen here. First, when forgiven we become more like Christ we begin to walk in His image. Walking is the beginning of a brand new life in Christ. Secondly, it secures our home in heaven where we will live forever in perfect conditions white as new fallen snow His Word tells us.
Important consideration:
If we do not add His blood to our lives we are hopelessly lost into eternity with no further hope of redemption. No blood applied to our lives is a life lost.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 