The Bible covers a span of thousands of years. Recorded history. Facts. The substance on which three religions are founded.
Yet the Bible, among its many lessons, digressions, and expectations, interweaves with one repeated theme: Red becomes white. God introduces the theme in Genesis, brings it out again in Zechariah (to make sure we’re still paying attention), then slams it home in Revelation.
Red becomes white, God cries, so pay attention. It’s the most important lesson I have to teach you.
Let’s look at God’s words.
Genesis 30:37 introduces us to red.
“And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and [peeled] white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.”
We know this story. It’s about Jacob being treated unfairly by a father-in-law who deceptively marries the young man to his elder daughter, then forces Jacob to work years in his father-in-law’s fields to be allowed to marry his younger daughter.
Laban was misusing Jacob, and when Jacob made his break, he intended to take the wealth of Laban’s household with him.
Where do we find our red? Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary tells us the varieties of hazel Jacob probably used are of a bright red color when peeled.
Red became the color of greed, of taking from another man for our own benefit. Mankind had yet to understand God’s true plan for humanity.
Zechariah 1:8 ties that greed to the bloodshed that washes the nations of the earth.
“I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown relates the red horse to war and bloodshed, reflecting the destruction that comes to those who chase after the standards of the world.
Revelation 6:2 changes everything.
“And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.”
White is the Roman color of victory. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown tells us this is the Christ (or his angel) sent to bring about the conquest of the world and sin.
Red becomes white. It flows over everything, and nothing remains the same. It’s the story of our Savior, washing us in his blood. In the natural, blood stains indelibly. Yet, Christ’s blood leaves us white and pure, flushing the greed of humanity and the decimation of war from us.
Jacob was God’s chosen, and Zechariah recognized the essential flawed nature of mankind, but it took Jesus to bring God’s true revelation to the earth. We can only truly please him when we let the red of his saving grace wash through every part of who we are; then we will be cleansed from greed and avarice, and stand in our robes of white before the great I Am.
Only the blood of Jesus can change us into what God wants us to become.
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Code: FGO.L.13.15.vp.kjv