Live Now and Forever

(Isaiah 55:1-13)

Context: When Isaiah made this statement, around 721 B.C he was preaching to the Jews that
were held captive by Assyria.

If the message of the Gospel could be summed up in a single word that word would be “Come!”
(Prov. 8:4; Matt. 11:28)

Imagine yourself sitting in the stands at a Kinston Indians baseball game. It’s a hot day, your
feeling rather hungry and thirsty. As you sit there a vendor comes by yelling “Ice cold Coke here!
Get your ice cold Coke.” Shortly thereafter, another vendor walks by selling hot dogs, or ice
cream or popcorn, etc. In this passage from Isaiah, the inspired prophet is likewise “hawking” the
“goods” of God to all who hunger and thirst for justice, righteousness, hope, mercy, forgiveness,
redemption and salvation.

God invites us to freely (Rom. 6:23):

Receive His forgiveness for our sins (Isa. 55:7)

Quench our soul’s thirst (Isa. 41:17-18; 55:1; John 4:10-14; 6:27; 7:37; Ps. 42:1-2; 63:1;
143:6; Rev. 7:16; 21:6; 22:1 & 17)

Living Water (John 4:7-15, 7:37-38, Rev. 21:6)

Only the “Living Water” can save

Lord Byron wrote, “I drank every cup of joy, drank early, deeply drank, drank
draughts which common millions might have drunk, then died of thirst because
there was no more to drink."

Wine & Milk (Isa. 55:1; Ps. 9:1-7; 104:15; Ecc. 10:19; Ex. 3:8 & 17; Prov. 27:27;
Song 5:1; 1 Cor. 3:2; 1 Pe. 2:2)

Symbols of spiritual joy, abundance & nourishment/sustenance.

Wine also is a symbol of the blood of Christ poured out so that we

may regain life (Mark 14:24)

Eat what is good (Isa. 55:2; Ps. 22:26; Jer. 31:14)

Bread (Lechem {lekh'-em}, Heb. = bread, grain or food in general, Isa. 55:2,
Deut. 8:3, Ps. 104:15, 132:15, Prov. 9:5-6, Matt. 4:4, John 6:48-51)

A symbol of spiritual sustenance unto life.

 Christ himself (Luke 22:19, John 6:33-35, 48-51)

By contrast, what sin provides is not good food (Isa. 44:20)

Find joy, peace and prosperity (Isa. 55:12-13)

We are bought with a price, but the price was not paid by us, rather by the blood of Jesus, the
Christ. (1 Cor. 6:19)

In order to do this we must believe (John 7:37-38), pay attention, listen (Isa. 51:4 & 7; John
5:24) to Him (Isa. 55:3), abandon wicked ways and sinful thoughts and return to Him (Isa. 55:7)

This invitation is open to people throughout the world (Isa. 55:5)

However none shall respond unless the Father draws them to (John 6:44 & 65)

But this invitation is only open for a certain period of time (Isa. 55:6; Heb. 9:27; 1 Thess. 5:1-3;
2 Cor. 6:2, James 4:14)

This time frame is known only to God (Matt. 24:36)

We cannot know what is in the mind of God (Isa. 55:9; 1 Pe. 2:8)

Except for what He chooses to reveal to us through His Word (Matt. 11:27; Luke
2:26; 1 Pe. 1:5 & 12)

God’s Word has power and will accomplish the good He intends (Isa. 55:11;
Prov. 18:20-21; Heb. 4:12)

He offers us an everlasting covenant

A covenant is an intimate relationship, a bond, involving mutual responsibilities.

If we listen to Him and keep His (Bariyth {ber-eeth'} Heb. = Covenant/Pledge/

Friendship) (Ex. 19:5-6; Deut. 14:2; 28:1; Jer. 7:23; 1 Pet. 2:9, Luke 22:20; Gal.3:19-26;
Heb. 8:6-12; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6):

God will:

Protect us: watch over us to build and plant (Jer. 31:28, Ps. 91:1-16)

Cleanse us: forgive and forget our sins (Jer. 31:34)

Transform us: put His law in our minds and hearts (Jer. 31:33)

Be our God (Jer. 31:33)

 We will:

Be His people (Cagullah {seg-ool-law'} Heb. = unique/special/prized

treasure/possession) (Deut. 7:6; Ps. 135:4; Mal. 3:17; Jer. 31:33)

Be a Kingdom of Priests (Isa. 61:6; 1 Pe. 2:5)

Be a (Qadowsh {kaw-doshe'} or Qadosh {kaw-doshe'} Heb. = Holy,

Sacred) Nation

Set apart, moral and ethical, a model to the world of God’s own
nature.

“The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those
who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.” (Isa.9:2;
Matt. 4:12-16).

“I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I will also hold

you by the hand and watch over you, And I will appoint you as a
covenant to the people, As a light to the nations” (Isa. 42:6;
Luke 2:32; see also Isaiah 51:4).

By contrast, sin brings at best temporary pleasure (Heb. 11:24-25; Gen.3:6-7) and the
potential for everlasting destruction.