Misquotes - Filthy Rags
(Editorial - July 2001)

Over the years, we have noted a few Bible passages which are consistently misquoted in our community. Frequently the point made is a correct one, it’s just not made in the verse cited. In none of the cases is first-principle error involved; but, as careful Bible students, we want to quote scripture correctly. This is the first in what will be a time-to-time consideration of such verses.

"All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isa.64:6)
These words are often cited in a sincere attempt to express the inadequacy of our discipleship. As we may feel that anything we do falls so far short of the great faith of the patriarchs or the sacrificial love of Christ and the apostles, we exclaim that even the good we do is as dung. Such an application of Isaiah’s words is a misquote of this passage.

Two classes of God’s people
As usual, context is the key to right reading of the verse. While verse 5 clearly sets forth two classes of people who are contrasted throughout this section of Isaiah, we sometimes miss the point because of the awkward wording of the KJV. Other versions are much clearer. For example the NKJV reads: "You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, who remembers you in your ways [here is one class of person in whom God takes great pleasure]. You are indeed angry, for we have sinned – in these ways [practicing iniquity] we continue; And we need to be saved [this is the second class who are taken away because of their iniquities]."

The contrast between God’s servants and the rebellious class is easily seen in 65:13-14 (NKJV as all quotes this month):

Wicked claim holiness
While the first class "sought" God and He was "found" of them, the second are depicted as "a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, according to their own thoughts" (65:1-2). Yet this second, rebellious class, is oblivious to God’s perspective and sees themselves as the epitome of holiness: "Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, do not come near me, For I am holier than you!’" (65:5).

Our understanding of this section is helped immeasurably by Paul’s citation of Isaiah 65:1-2 in Romans 10:20-21:

But Isaiah is very bold and says: "I was found by those who did not seek Me: I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me." But to Israel he says: "All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people."

Paul cites Isaiah to support the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles and to prove the bulk of Israel would reject the saving gospel of Messiah. Here, then, are the two classes of Isaiah 64 and 65: 1) a faithful few of any nation; 2) the Jewish people as a whole.

Isaiah appeals on Israel’s behalf
As prophets often do, Isaiah is appealing on behalf of the Jewish people and associates himself with them as their spokesman:

"Do not be furious O LORD, nor remember iniquity forever; indeed, please look – we all are Your people! Your holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. Our holy and beautiful temple, where our fathers praised You, is burned up with fire" (Isa. 64:9-11).

It is in this capacity that he says: "We are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf…" (64:6).

The expression of verse 6 should now be clear: the self-righteous deeds of a rebellious people are the righteousnesses which are "filthy rags." In no way is this to be applied to those who rejoice in God, who, as His servants, do true righteousness and who remember God in His ways (64:5).

Paul expresses same sentiment
Where Isaiah uses "filthy rags," the apostle uses the word "rubbish" to depict the self-righteousness he felt made him so much holier than others:

"If anyone thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless…indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith..." (Phil. 3:4-9).

Saul the Pharisee delighted in his heritage and took pride in his meticulous observance of Jewish law. In doing so, he felt holier than others because of his disciplined life. But it was all rubbish, filthy rags, before God, and, thankfully, Paul accepted that divine perspective when it was revealed to him.

We can please God
We ought never to think that God is displeased with our conduct. Enoch "had this testimony, that he pleased God." We are all urged to "walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Yet we are cautioned, "without faith it is impossible to please Him…" (Heb. 11:5; Col. 1:10; Heb. 11:6). This caution makes us realize they are the works of faith which are pleasing to God, not the works of our own self-righteousness. But we are all capable of walking in faith so that even the great faithful ones cited in Hebrews 11 have not yet received the promise, "God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us" (Heb. 11:40). The "us" in this case was intended to include the recipients of the letter to the Hebrews, who, from the tone of this epistle, were not better disciples than we are capable of being.

More encouragement is given in the parable of the talents even to the one given only two talents: "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord" (Matt. 25:23). He may not have been the greatest servant, but what he did was not regarded as "rubbish" or "filthy rags." His works of faith were viewed with great pleasure by his Lord.

That parable is followed by some of the most encouraging words of all scripture. What we do for the people of Christ, he views as being done to himself.

"I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in…assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to me" (Matt. 25:35-40).

Not filthy rags
With these testimonies before us, let us not misquote Isaiah’s words. Let us not hang our heads, thinking no matter what we do we can never please God. Rather, let us rejoice in the great salvation He has given and the opportunity and help He gives that we might walk well-pleasing to Him. Let us work the works of faith not thereby seeking our own righteousness, but seeking the honor of Him who saves us by His grace through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Don Styles

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