![]() He saw that John that Baptist and Jesus called out to their hearers, “Do penance! For the Kingdom of heaven is at hand!” The remaining chapters of Isaiah are claimed by many to be addressed to a post-exilic audience.Long ago Martin Luther read the Latin translation of the Greek New Testament called the Vulgate. Commentators explain this chapter as being the last one addressed to the people in captivity. Again, this should be understood as having multiple applications: the Jews leaving Babylonian captivity Israel and Judah leaving their end-time captivity spiritual Israel receiving its deliverance through Christ today the ultimate deliverance of spiritual Israel in its glorification at Christ's return the spiritual deliverance of physical Israel and all mankind when they are joined to spiritual Israel through Christ and finally their ultimate deliverance when they are glorified as well. The chapter ends with God's people leaving their exile. What a warm and wonderful view of God (Isaiah 55:10)." Thus God's word is gentle and life-giving in Isaiah's analogy, like the gentle rain that waters the earth and causes life to spring up. God feels compassion and love and extends mercy. We feel anger and outrage and call for revenge. In its note on Isaiah 55:6-7, The Bible Reader's Companion states: "It is in the free pardon that God offers the wicked that the sharpest difference between God's thoughts and our thoughts are seen. God says He will have mercy, immediately followed by a statement that His thoughts and ways are higher than our thoughts and ways. Isaiah 55 goes on to say that even the wicked may seek and find God if they forsake their wrong way and "return" to Him-the Old Testament term for repent. Yet this promise is for us as well-since Jesus said that His followers would share His throne with Him (see Revelation 3:21 compare Romans 8:17). This, of course, is ultimately fulfilled in Christ-who was destined to inherit the throne of David. Indeed, there may also be a reference here to the Davidic covenant itself-wherein God promised David an eternal offspring, throne and kingdom. And David was a witness of these promises (Isaiah 55:4). These "sure mercies" are also described here as an "everlasting covenant" that God is willing to make with all who "thirst" and come to God. Paul explained in his speech at Antioch of Pisidia in Acts 13:34 that this referred to Jesus being raised from the dead, and he goes on to cite Psalm 16 of David, which is full of many promises of future inheritance, blessings and pleasures. Verse 3 of Isaiah 55 mentions the "sure mercies of David" (Isaiah 55 3). Isaiah 55:2 mentions the bread analogy used by Jesus as well (see John 6:48-58). Jesus gave parables that picture salvation as partaking of a banquet (see Matthew 8:11 Luke 14:15-24). ![]() Notice also that the invitation to "eat" and "delight" in abundance can be likened to a banquet. "Abundance" is directly mentioned in verse 2 of Isaiah 55. As Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10)-meaning now and on into eternity beyond. Not only does God's salvation supply what is necessary for life, but it also provides what brings joy" ( Nelson Study Bible, note on verse 1). ![]() "Wine and milk are symbols of complete satisfaction ( Isaiah 55:2). It also involves a lifelong commitment to obeying God. Of course, what many do not understand is that repentance is more than just being sorry for past sins. God requires only true repentance accompanied by faith and then baptism (see Acts 2:38 Hebrews 11:6). It is a totally free gift-albeit a gift with conditions. We are told to buy even though we have no money. This ties back to earlier references in Isaiah, such as Isaiah 12:3 and Isaiah 44:3. Our Bible Commentary says this about Isaiah 55:Ĭhapter 55 begins with the analogy cited by Jesus in the New Testament of the water of life-the Holy Spirit (see John 4:10-14 John 7:37-38 Revelation 21:6 Revelation 22:1, Revelation 17). "My thoughts," says the Lord, "are not like yours, and my ways are different from yours. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. In Isaiah 55:8 we find the phrase "my thoughts are not your thoughts." ![]()
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