Isaiah had previously detailed the sins of the people of Israel, as well as those of the surrounding nations and had given prophetic warnings to all of those nations about God’s imminent judgment. 

The prophet plainly warns Israel about the certain coming time of captivity and judgment, but then he prophesies that God will re-establish the nation after this time of suffering.  It is then that Isaiah describes in detail, the Servant of Jehovah and his activities. 

In chapter fifty three we are told that the Servant will be sacrificed and will suffer for the iniquities of men.  This ‘Lamb of God’ will offer himself for the sins of men. 

Then comes the beautiful pictures in chapters fifty-four and fifty-five.

In chapter fifty-four there is the response of great joy because of what the suffering Servant has done.  Israel is called on to sing and rejoice, because instead of suffering there will be fruitfulness.  All kinds of great promises are outlined as a result of the great redemption.  The covenant is renewed. 

There is much joyful shouting, for after the time of suffering God will establish the people in righteousness.  There is a great heritage which belongs to the servants of the Lord.  They are told that no weapons formed against them will prosper. They are also told that every tongue that will rise up against them in judgment will be condemned.

So chapter fifty-five which we are studying is an invitation to enjoy the feast that the Servant of Jehovah has paid for.  There are glorious benefits following what the Servant has done for his people. But note that Isaiah will call on all sinners to repent and to have faith, to turn to the Lord who is most marvellous and whose ways and thoughts cannot be compared to those of men. 

There are clearly many issues that this chapter raises. It is important to first note that the proclamation by the prophet is both a national and a universal call. It is addressed not only to Israel but to all nations. Israel however is certainly central and pivotal in this affair. 

This call, this invitation to a feast, shows that God is throwing a party with the finest of fare.  The benefits of this are not only spiritual but also physical.  It obviously is going to be very spectacular, a first-class affair. 

The call is to come now, not to wait, not to be diverted by anything and any activity.  Nothing is to take away our attention.  There is to be no “DELAY” to come to sit at the table with the King. 

Bear in mind as we study this lesson that the invitation is not to have us come and just sip a little, or nibble a little.  It is an invitation to come, eat heartily and to luxuriate in everything that is provided.  This is no stingy God. 

In fact the figures of speech the prophet uses to describe the blessings of God are so extensive, that the blessings do not appear to be exclusively spiritual blessings, but also allude to the teachings we have been given about the extensive physical blessings of Paradise for those persons in the Covenant. 

Note that this is an invitation to enjoy a feast that someone else has paid for and this is something of which we should be mindful. 

The joyful response to this great gift comes however with a price and that is repentance; nothing more and nothing less.  No one has any excuse not to accept and come to the party. 

The prophet makes it quite clear that all of this is backed up by the sure word of God.  Everyone is encouraged to accept the call to the feast.  The blessings promised are sure and certain for God has sworn. 

Of course, once we accept the invitation to the party and are enjoying its benefits, Isaiah points to our responsibility to invite others, to be a witness, to call other nations. 

It is interesting to note that there are certain things that will show up in our behavior when we respond to this absolutely incredible offer from God.  We can examine ourselves to see whether or not we have accepted God's magnificent invitation to His feast. 

As we study we face the question as to whether or not God still loves us when we sin.  When calamity hits us, does it mean that God still loves us and intends to fulfill His word and that He will work all the things out for good to those that love Him? 

Are there times when God allows us to experience the consequences of our sins?  Does that mean he does not love us?  What is the essence of God's offer following chastisement?

Isaiah fifty-five shows us an extremely important picture of God, for it shows how He calls out to those that belong to Him to return to Him and enjoy the feast that He has provided.

So let us look carefully now at the kind of party that God throws for his people.

THE TEXT

Verse 1.  The main idea put forth is that God is extending a free and gracious invitation to all.  This is a gift of grace and all are encouraged to take advantage of this gift, given the work of the ‘Servant’.  The Servant has reversed what Adam and Eve did and which led to their separation from God.  Something was clearly lost when sin entered the world and now God wanted to restore the kind of communication that man previously had with Him. 

The first word in this verse “Ho” is a word demanding that people pay attention and it carries with it a sense of urgency.  It is used many other times in Isaiah to introduce a warning that God is about to judge the people and the nations. Here it is used in the opposite sense; to imply that now that judgment has been finished with, all people should pay close attention to what God is offering. 

Understand that there are many voices calling and many merchants offering the people of Israel and the Gentiles all kinds of goodies.  So the word “Ho” is designed to have great impact. 

The prophet tells us that there is only one condition attached to his invitation and that is one must be “thirsty”.  So Isaiah is calling out to everyone who is thirsty, for all these qualify.  So if a person acknowledges that they have thirst and want to be sated, all they have to do is to come to the waters. 

The issue then is to define “thirst”.  If one is not thirsty one need not come to His waters.

Note that there are several figures of speech used in the first two verses and they refer to thirst, water, money, buy, wine and milk.  We can take the figures of speech literally, so that there is a reality to the water, milk, wine, buying and so on, and so these figures of speech would be interpreted to represent physical prosperity.  Since God is giving these things, in addition, one could say that the words could also be used to be symbolic of spiritual blessing. 

If we however look at these terms as words used to point to other things, one would interpret their meaning as exclusively spiritual blessings.  The rich food would represent spiritual values that would satisfy those that received them.  The use of the term ‘buying’ would be reinterpreted as simply acquiring something, but it would be free because of grace. 

However way one looks at it, it seems that Isaiah is dealing with the provisions of Paradise; where God would provide for all the needs of His people.  It is there in Paradise that the people of God would ‘eat’ what is good and their souls would be satisfied.  There would be physical satisfaction but given the fact of redemption, there would be spiritual satisfaction, as well as service in the city of God. 

The context however indicates that God is promising covenant life to those who have been exiled from Israel, for God has redeemed his people and is now graciously renewing the covenant and giving covenant life to His people.

In Scripture the word “thirst” in the covenant context is generally used as a metaphor to describe the very deepest needs of both the heart and the soul.  This satisfaction is found only in the covenant relationship with God, for only there will there be salvation. When people are called ‘thirsty’ it is describing something which drives them to do whatever they can to survive, for they are needy and very desperate.   

One writer reminds us of what a very deep need does to a person and he warns:

“Like a thirsty person in a parched desert who, seeing a mirage of an oasis, runs and stuffs sand in his mouth thinking its water, we can squander everything we have thinking we are buying what we need, when it's not nourishing food for our souls, and it cannot satisfy.”   

So Isaiah calls to those that are in the covenant and who thirst and invites them to come to the “waters”.  He wants to protect them from their basest instincts and he will discuss this in the next verse. 

Note that Isaiah is speaking to Judah and He describes the people he's calling as including those that have no money.  They are impoverished probably both physically and spiritually.  They are exiles from the land of promise. They were in Babylon and many were destitute.  He is speaking to the bankrupt and telling them that the most valuable thing that they could ever need is being offered to them, even though they have no money.  It is free.  Money is useless at this feast. 

Their need is great, they are thirsty, their money is useless, but the highest quality of food is offered.  This is nourishing but luxury food, for it is milk and it is wine, both the words which in the covenant context speak of great, overflowing, abundant life. Returning to the land promises great blessing. This is an offer of rich things, free of cost.  See Deuteronomy 6:3; 11:9; 26:9; 31:20 and other passages which deal with the idea of water, milk and wine. 

The urgent call to “come” and “buy” shows us that this is not the normal order of things, but since redemption has occurred this is now the new “Normal” state of affairs. Now to “buy” means that they have to make some effort.  At the waters they would find the blessings of salvation which God is offering, given that the problem of sin has been dealt with. 

God begins by asking his people to explain why they are trying to spend money on things that will not satisfy them, why they are squandering what they have. 

Usually, when people are truly searching for something to make them whole, if they do not find what they seek in a reasonable time, they foolishly begin to immerse themselves deeper and deeper into many illogical and destructive activities.  Many people get to the stage which can be described as an addiction.  God knows this would happen to people.  For example, many follow people around because of their addiction to them. As well, many become addicted to objects which gives them certain carnal pleasures, even though they know this may lead to their self-destruction. 

God has the best possible solution for our current condition.  If we are left to our own means, we would expend considerable resources, money and time, into things that will never satisfy us the way that the Lord can.  God is making a clear invitation and when we accept this invitation, our needs, those known and those unknown to us, would be satisfied. 

There is still an associated price, however this is not a conventional price in terms of money.   

So we must listen diligently.  When we do not listen, it demonstrates a sign of disrespect of God. 

Also we must note that there is an art to listening.  Listening can only be done effectively when we are trying to do so, and also when we are NOT talking.  Even though communication is usually a two-way street, when only one person is talking at a time, communication will be made in the most effective manner. 

The question as to what we are working for and whether we are getting real satisfaction out of our endeavours is an extremely important question today.  Some people describe life as running around endlessly in circles.  Some describe life as a rat race, that is, something without meaning. 

This is the question that Isaiah asks. This question is most relevant for our present generation. God is asking the same question today.  He asks why we are not satisfied with all that we are getting and if not where do we expect to find true satisfaction.  There is a reason for our dissatisfaction with life. 

God has instructed Isaiah to tell us that we are squandering everything thing we have. We are really ruining ourselves.  What we are doing will not nourish or refresh us.  We are being very foolish.

God is instructing or advising us to eat what is good for us.  In order to eat what is good for us, it is important that we are able to discern what types of food is good for us.  If we listen to God then He who is wiser will tell us what is good to eat, what is good to drink, what is good to wear and what is good to buy with our money. Sometimes we delight ourselves with food that is not good for us in terms of nutrients, but we feel that it tastes good. 

When we are talking about the Word of God, the same thing applies.  We know that studying the word of God is good for us. We know it strengthens every aspect of our being as we move closer to God and closer to being the person he wants us to be.

Even when knowledge is given to us or is available to us from the Bible we are often not ready for it.  This is where discernment and guidance from God is necessary, for His words cannot all be absorbed at one sitting.  It needs constant attention and patience.

God calls on men to hearken diligently to him, not only to hear but also to agree with what He is saying.  They are to take time to hear, listen and to pay attention, for in so doing they will “eat” what is good for them and what “will” satisfy them.

There are great benefits when a person listens carefully to God, for He has made all necessary provision for His people.  There must be no pride, but only humility.

Verse 3.  God calls for a response of faith on account of the spiritual and other blessings promised by being in the Covenant.

So the warning is not to pay attention to and chase after the wrong thing.  No matter how difficult the situation of life might appear to be, there are covenant promises which still apply.

This is a call to pay full attention and come to him, not just to eat and drink or to buy, but so that one might have life.

It appears that God is not only the Host, but He is the feast, for it is from Him that we feed and drink and are refreshed and nourished.  He keeps calling to us and telling us to listen, so that we will live.  We eat and drink in order to live physically and now we have to eat and drink from the Lord to live spiritually.  In view of the language it appears that not only will we live and commune with the Lord spiritually, but we also get wine and fatness from him.  We are in Paradise when we are with him and Paradise meets every need, physical and spiritual. 

So with diligently listening to God, eating what is good, choosing what is good, letting our soul delight in the abundance God provides, we will get impressive benefits. 

We are to actively use our energies to listen to what God is trying to tell us.  The greater the effort put in, the better off we will be in terms of our faith and obedience to God.  There should be no hint of pride when we approach God, for we know who He is, and we know what He has done for us.

God is simply asking us to be rational and knowing that He created all things and controls all things, it would be best to accept His offer.  We receive everything that is good for us, with no downside. 

Our souls will live when we incline our ears and come to God.  We will then inhabit the Covenant promises based on God's unfailing covenant kindness with David.  This passage uses the words for God's “loyal love”, as well as a word which stresses God's dependable nature. 

Note that this Covenant is said to be made directly to the nation.  God had made a covenant with David, but this covenant will now be made also directly to the people.  So the people of God will have the benefit of a covenant with David and his house and the people of God will now as well be directly connected with the Spirit and be restored so that all who belong to God would reign with the Redeemer.

Verses 4-5. We should also be mindful that in describing part of the covenant promises, the prophet had written about the lavish banquet for all people on Mount Zion.  (See Isaiah 25:6). 

Jesus himself in Luke 13:29 spoke of many coming from all over the world and reclining at the table in the kingdom of God.  Then his parable in Luke 14: 15-24 tells of those who had rejected the invitation and allowing those of the despised that were outside to come into the feast. 

Many of the prophets had spoken of this new life in a new earth ruled by Messiah, who was called the “bread of life” (John 6:35) and the one who gave “living water” (John 4:10). Jesus in John 7:37 quoted from Isaiah 55, confirming that Isaiah had spoken of him, indicating that he would be the one who would secure the everlasting covenant for the people. He would sit on the throne of David forever and be so attractive that all the nations of the world would run to him. 

So at this stage we should ask ourselves the question whether or not we have accepted the invitation to this lavish banquet spoken of in Isaiah 25, and Luke 13 and 14.  We have been invited to freely eat from Jesus and thus receive truth and wisdom and enjoy eternal life. 

We should be listening to see whether God is trying to get our attention.  He calls different people in different ways, but He is calling all of us today. We are supposed to listen carefully to hear the voice of God, for God is always trying to get our attention.  Maybe God is trying to get our attention now to have us do something that he wants us to do.  Maybe now is the time we should be listening especially carefully to Him. 

We can also ask ourselves whether we are thirsty or hungry.  If we are maybe God is making us like that to get our attention.  So we should examine our lives and the trends in our lives carefully for maybe God is trying to get a message to us. 

Let us look at our resources.  We probably have money and we should consider whether we are spending it on the wrong things. Are we still experimenting, chasing after that new computer, new toys, new man, new woman, new car, new friend, new appearance or look, new cell phone, new palm gizmo, new diet?    

If we find ourselves doing these things all the time, it's a good indication that we are worshiping the wrong gods. 

Idolatry comes in all shapes and sizes.  But whatever the shape and the size, it consumes and drains resources, it strains relationships with friends and family and it still leaves us spiritually hungry, always wanting more, chasing more things and never being satisfied. 

Maybe we find ourselves always looking for a new makeover, a new restaurant, or a new party to go to.  Well, Jesus offers an invitation to us.  He is the bread of life and the fountain of living waters.  He says we should not think only of ourselves and of the new things we want so desperately, but of the needs of the poor and helpless. 

This is a love feast and we will be delighted to be there, delighted in our innermost being.  There is abundant food, water, wine, milk and honey.  It is free, even though it is the most expensive food and drink we will ever have.  It is true “fatness”, luxury, better than caviar.  The only thing that we should bring to this transaction is our poverty, for our money is no good. 

Just begin to focus on Jesus, picture his arms around you, looking at you and telling you that He has forgiven you.  One writer puts it this way as he encourages us:

“You feast on the fellowship that Jesus gives you in his family, and let Jesus love you through your brothers and sisters.  You enjoy this feast and linger over it.  This is not a Big Mac that you wolf down.  This is the finest of fare.  You take your time with it.  You savor it.  You linger over the word, over the images of love and over the fellowship.  You savor it all.  Spend some time in reflection and in giving thanks to the Father.  Every experience in life is a little more satisfying if you reflect on it a bit.  And, of course, you dream of the eternal feast to come.

“Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the lamb” (Revelation 19:7)

The King has invited you to his feast.  After we have dined with him, he sends us out to invite others.” 

So all are to be encouraged to partake of Jesus now and begin to enjoy the blessings of the eternal Covenant given to David, for this means we will share in the kingdom of Jesus.  When we are in Christ we will get full, extraordinary and amazing satisfaction from fellowship with the brethren and fellowship with God. Nothing of the material world will give this satisfaction.  Because of this covenant with us, Jesus will share his reign with us, making us Kings and priests in his kingdom.  There will be exaltation and unbelievable blessing for us.

Verse 6.   In this verse we are exhorted to seek the Lord.   This can be done only when God empowers us to do so.  If he does not, then our natural desire is to move away from him.  Do not be distracted from what that is good for any reason or another. God must give us the desire to seek him. 

As a Christian we still need to rely on God to keep tugging at us.  We will still have to war against our flesh, for the flesh often does cause problems in our relationship with God.  If we let the Spirit lead us, then we can overcome and follow and seek after God.   

The other part of the verse indicates that the Lord may not be found on occasion.  That is to say that we are sometimes in a period of time where God is calling out to us, striving with our spirit.  But what will happen when even his infinite mercy and patience is worn thin?  At this time we will not be able to find God anymore.  His Spirit will not always strive with man to convince him of what is good, what is righteous and what is just.   So today is the day of acceptance.  God is near us, listening to us, striving with us, reasoning with us in order to give us the gift of salvation and grace, freely.   

He knows it is better than anything the world has to offer and by all accounts the majority of people know that God is offering something of value and something that is good, and that is why people mimic the things of God.  So why do we not accept?  Woe to man when his heart is hardened and God is no longer to be found. Mercy is offered, but then when he cannot be found, judgment without mercy will take place.   

Only God can give you a sense of worth.  That sense of worth rests on the, “everlasting covenant” the “sure mercies of David”.  Once we are in the Covenant we are loved and accepted, and are valuable in the sight of God, for our sins are forgiven.

So the appeal is to seek the Lord while he may be found.  The appeal is structured in such a way as to stress the urgency of the moment.  God wants us to acknowledge our weakness and our need, and to turn to him.  That is how He wants us to respond to the offer.  He wants us to call on his name and take advantage of the gift.

Verse 7.   The invitation was extended to all.  Those in Israel that were not trusting God to deliver them are being rebuked here.  Those who are wicked and non-believers are being called to repentance and salvation. 

There is a particular emphasis to the unconverted.  Those who are wicked and unrighteous as demonstrated by their actions outwardly, as well as those whose ‘inner beings’ are driven by wickedness, are asked to forget the old ways and take another path in life.   

God calls on the pessimists, the sceptics, those with weak faith, those that are evil, those that have resigned themselves to staying in their troubles, and those that are disobedient to the covenant, to repent, to move away from foolish unbelief. They are to forsake both their unrighteousness and wicked thoughts and return. 

They were created for fellowship with God, and so rebellion and chasing after the life of emptiness will never satisfy.   

We should ask ourselves then, what is involved in repentance?  Two things come to mind.  First, a turning away from sin.  Leave it alone and put it behind, make a complete break.  If we thought that taking an action would not bring us any kind of happiness, we would most likely not do it.  God gives us the ability to see that sin is no good for us.  To truly turn from sin we need to listen to and accept God’s wisdom.  True repentance will start at the root of our being, altering judgments concerning persons and things; it will dislodge the corrupt imaginations and eliminate the vain pretences under which our unsanctified heart lives.   

The second, is to return to the Lord.  When we return to the Lord, we return to joy, knowing that the fountain of life and the living waters are ours to partake of once again.  We will be washed over with the joy of doing that which God desires.  We will have a joy to do that which our Master asks of us.  We will display compassion to those we deal with. Even when we ourselves slip, we know that God will be merciful enough to forgive us and that is why we have joy in abundance, to know that we cannot lose his love easily. 

Verses 8-9.   God is impressing on us the fact that he does not think the way we do. Even to try to think the way he does, or understand it at times would confuse us. Since we are made in the image of God, there is still a chance that we understand some of the things that he does.  The larger picture or intent might be lost to us, but while God knows the beginning and the end, we only have part of the script of this play.  God does not work the way we do so his promises and his positions are wonderful and absolutely remarkable. 

We understand this better if we look at the example of reconciliation.  Clearly, sinful man has no concept of this idea.  God will forgive us of our transgressions.  He even forgives us many times for transgression made against him, as long as it is not in our heart to purposely sin against him.  Also, there would seem to be no limit on how many times he would forgive us.  He counselled Peter, that ‘seventy times seven’ would be a good starting point.  When we forgive sins, it is hard for us to forget, but with God, the slate is wiped clean.   

This is the God who calls us home.  We should understand that we do not have to live and act in fear and better yet, he is there to constantly teach and guide us so that we do not constantly make these errors, we just have to listen.  That is why God indicates that his ways are higher than ours, as the heavens are above the earth.  This gives an idea of the knowledge and wisdom God possesses above our own, and that assessment in all likelihood does not come close to describing the differences between us, and even indicate to us what we will learn from him in his kingdom. 

It is hard to imagine that God would even want to restore Israel after what they had done.  It is similarly hard to think that God would want to forgive us and to bring us into his kingdom, given the fact that as enemies we have done him great wrong. God is remarkably and unspeakably kind. 

God loves to forgive.  So he also loves to call on men to forsake the illusion of this world and to take hold of him, the only eternal and real God. 

God's ways are righteous and man's ways are not. God is faithful even though men are not faithful.  He will fulfill the words of His covenant.  He simply calls on men to forsake their evil ways and in truth turn to him.  Only then can this absolutely holy God live with men. 

Strangely though, once we return to the Lord, the Holy Spirit will ‘renew’ us.  We will find that the more time we spend with the Lord, the more we will pick up his ways and his thoughts.  We will come more and more to think and act like God, for we will have the mind of Christ.  When we return to the Lord we will certainly not remain the way we were.  God will do that for us.

Verses 10-11.   God uses nature to help illustrate this point and to show us what he is offering.  God’s Word, like the snow and the rain from heaven, does not go down to earth without a purpose.  God’s Word has a purpose.  It works silently and quietly and though like the rain and snow it goes into the ground and seems to disappear without a trace, it takes root in the hearts of men and save them.  While moving between heaven and earth it accomplishes many things, operating without us noticing its work.  One of it’s work is to cleanse the air.  After a rain shower, notice that there is not that much smog in the air.  But more to the point, when the rain and snow hits the ground it starts a large part of its work, helping the plants and animals to grow and survive.   

God’s Word, once it hits the hearts of men, has the power the change lives.  It provides hope and strength for people to overcome their problems. It gives peace to many whose lives would end violently, and as well comforts the poor and lonely.  There is power in the word of God.  Nothing can stop it from accomplishing what God has set it out to do.   

So when we trust in the promises of God, all the powerful and effective transforming power of his grace will work.  We will be changed. 

No wonder then that there are powerful and subtle forces at work to make people reject the Scriptures.  The Word of God is the thing that causes people to think biblically and understand the thoughts of God.  So Satan is working powerfully in the church today, so that people no longer know what the Bible teaches:  This is his strategy.  Many think that they are doing what God wills without even looking at what the Scriptures teach. 

It is guaranteed that the work of God's Word will bring joy and peace, and creation will react positively and with joy to the transforming, restoring power of God. 

CONCLUSION

We must focus on the blessing that God will give to those in the Covenant and think about the time when creation will benefit from the great joy and peace.  The provisions of the Davidic Covenant are offered to all. Jesus has paid the price for redeeming man and He will reign over all those who forsake their evil ways and turn to him. 

We must ensure that we accept His offer of ‘living water’ to quench our thirsty souls.  Then we should carry this witness throughout the world, beginning in our neighbourhood, our workplace and our school.  Speak to all those with whom we come in contact.