The Invitation is Inclusive - Isaiah 55-67

ISSAIAH 55: 1 TO 67, MAY 3, 2009
By: John Vandiver
During the last fifty years there has been a constant increase in the practice of pre-marital and promiscuous sex among high school and college age young men and women. You can add to this problem the increased use of drugs and alcohol and find the root cause for most marital failures in our country. A great number of the most heart breaking stories happen to students with unlimited talent and abilities.
The Bible is unlimited in the vast number of times that we are told that if we will place our faith in God, that he will make the way straight for us where we can use our own unlimited talents and abilities; however we can also know that they will be enhanced by the power and might of God. The bad mistakes that we continue to make automatically tells God that we really do not need his help; that we will be able to carve out a creditable life on our own without His help. It is so sad but usually true that things do not work out for our best when we neglect to take Jesus as our partner through life’s darkest hours.
In preparation for this lesson today, a great number of famous and some not so famous names came to my attention as examples that could be used to explain why many able people fall far short of their capabilities and our expectations. John Daly is the first that came to mind. He had the support of his family and the Russellville and Dardanelle golfing communities and played outstanding golf while attending the University. John won the hearts of the American golfing community and was noted and admired for his long drives. He was his own worst enemy and finally lost all control to the destructive power of alcohol to control his life. and even destroy. A terrible loss has resulted in the fact that John did not learn his drinking habits from Isaiah 53.
The last successful Razorback team was led by Matt Jones, a quarterback from Fort Smith that could throw the ball with great accuracy and surprised everyone with his ability to run the ball when it had to be moved forward. I may be naïve about his high school and college life, but he seemed to be honest, honorable, and dependable. Because of his height, long arms and running ability he was drafted by the pros as a wide end; and there is no doubt that his versatility would have led to great success. Just a few days ago he was on a visit back to Fayetteville when he was arrested and jailed on a drug violation. It was revealed that this was not his first offense, and it cost him his contract. When he broke his partnering contract with Jesus Christ it caused him to lose his playing contract in pro football.
I have wiled away many hours listening to Harry Carrey explain the exploits of the St. Louis Cardinals. There were dozens of super base ball players that set records that would still be holding if a group of cheating, nonprofessional un-American and non-Christian players with steroid muscle power had not exploited the profession. As a result they can not be the best that ever played because they cheated to get there—and they robbed honest top players of their position because we will never know now just how they did compare to players of the last decade.
All of the above really believed that they had found a way to make sure they had found satisfaction in this world. They made their own plans; they depended upon their own strengths and desires and they left God completely out of their overall plan for success. It is unfortunate for each one of them; but they chose the wrong road, wrong friends, and bad advice. It is sad, but they have hurt many others [family, friends, and co-players] and disappointed many of their fans.
Why will good people risk loosing all that is right and enjoyable just for the privilege of enjoying sin for a moment? It must be human nature because the problem has always existed. At the time covered by the 55th chapter of Isaiah, the Jewish people were operating under the covenant that God had made with David as King of Judah and Jerusalem. His people had violated their part in the covenant and their disobedience had led to their fall away into heathen bondage. It is now time under the covenant for them to return to their country, and rebuild. For a hundred years or more the prophets had been using the language of the lawyers and judges—courtrooms talk; and used the arguments from the temple, the priest and prophets trying to reach the people. It is actually quiet refreshing to see that Isaiah changes to the language of the salesman, and in this case all was free.
In order to serve his people that were returning, the servant God is talking as if they are hungry and thirsty but he is referring to Spiritual desires. He is telling them that spiritual food and water is free and that they only have to accept salvation as a free gift. Isaiah sounds like Christ talking seven thousand years later, when he invited all that was hungry and thirsty to “Come unto me.” “I will give you life freely.” The word thirst refers to a personal desire for man to know God. The word bread as use here refers to everything that is necessary in life like food. Clothing and shelter but these are just tributaries to the heart and soul of man.
This invitation is inclusive just as the title indicates. If you are ready to turn [or return] to God, then come without money…there is no cost…all is free. This has the same connotation as does grace in the New Testament. Grace is free…there is no cost. Salvation is by grace but through faith.
People understand that physical food cost money and is never free—someone has to pay for it. It only lasts a short time and only meets some very special needs. This comes through the hands of men. Spiritual food comes through the grace of God and can not be bought. How do we get it then? The book says that we [come] [listen] [seek] and [call on God] but we do this without price or money.
God’s covenant with David promised a permanent home, with no threat from other countries, but Israel did not keep their part of the covenant and their disobedience led to wars and destruction that left only a remnant to return and rebuild.
People were told to call on God while he was near, and there has been no change in this instruction. You may have thought that He is always near, but there is a condition here. He never leaves us or forsakes us. He never moves away but we do the moving and the distance grows because of our moving away and our livings out-side of his covenant responsibility.