NL 414: Word Accomplishes God’s Purpose (Advent 3)

image: “food-cheese-cakes-fruit-juices" by Jon Sullivan (Pixnio)

Isaiah 55:1-13

December 12, 2021

Isaiah 55:1-13

Initial Thoughts

  • “Anyone who is thirsty, come drink; the word accomplishes God’s purpose.” - Commentary line form the Narrative Lectionary

Bible Study

  • Literary Context

    • End of Deutero Isaiah, which began with ch 40. (argued), although some (Joseph Blenkinsopp and others) argue that this is not the end of deutero Isiah, but rather is the beginning of third Isaiah (the remainder of the book)

    • Ch 40 starts with Comfort, a road being made through the Wilderness, a reflection on the withering nature of loyalty, but a promise that “God’s word will exist forever.”

      • Of particular import if you include v. 10-13, which includes affirmation that God’s word will not return to me empty, and that it will provide bread, and plants, and flowers.

    • Ch 55 begins with the invitation to come and drink and eat. In a way, this chapter is the completion of the road through the Wilderness. .

  • Two main themes are the Banquet, with its invitation being open to all; and Repentance, which is God’s ultimate will for all.

  • v. 1-5 Invitation to all to come to God’s Banquet

    • Metaphorical focus proclaiming “God’s beneficence to His [sic] people will be unstinting and freely given with no price exacted for it.” Robert Alter, The Hebrew Bible, vol. 2, p.806

      • In other words- God’s gifts and grace are non transactional - this is not a quid pro quo God, but a God who gives freely and openly

    • “To the hearer on the edge of exile and in the midst of real displacement from the land which God promised, what is promised here is outrageous. The economy of the promise here reiterated is built not upon the scarcity of exile but upon God’s abundance.” (Samuel Giere, Working Preacher)

    • Only requirement: Thirst and Hunger

      • Chastises those who spend money on things that are not necessities. 

      • Extravagances are mocked, but Listening to God is what matters.

    • Covenant with David is still strong, but now it is extended to the community - not just the monarchy and the elite.

    • “A Nation you don’t know.”

      • God is opening up the covenant to include others.

      • God is using nations and leaders (Cyrus) that no one expected

      • God is doing a new thing in new ways - And people may reject that.

  • v. 6-9 Call for all to seek the Lord

    • Seek the Lord - while he can still be found

      • “You may have imagined God was distant, hiding His [sic] face from you, but He [sic] is there close by, if only you seek Him [sic].” Alter, p.807

      • Invitation to all, but limited in time. God is patient, but decision to seek must be made.

      • Mercy offered to those who return to the Lord

      • ”My plans aren’t your plans,” 

        • Human plans are often for vengeance and retribution.

        • Humans are transactional - quid pro quo, but this isn’t how God will work, grace and love are given freely

      • Only repentance and pardon can open up relationship with God. Anything that we plan to take us to God will fall short.

  • v. 10-13 - the promise of blessing

    • Just as rain and snow are given to bring life, growth, and wholeness, so too will God’s word bring life, growth and wholeness to the earth

    • God’s word will make you prosper - perhaps whether you want it to or not

    • All of creation will rejoice with Israel whose judgment (the exile) has come to an end. When you repent/turn back to God, the response - not only of God, but all creation - is joy!

Thoughts and Questions

  • Invitation to the Great Banquet is open to all. The only requirement is hunger and thirst. Reminiscent of the beatitudes - “Blessed are the hungry and thirsty.” God’s Banquet is open to “the people” and to “nations you do not know.” A radical new understanding of God’s people. Coming at the end of exile, the road through the wilderness has come to this place, where all are welcome and the loyalty for David is extended to all.

  • God wills forgiveness and peace. Human plans get in the way of that all the time, but God’s plan is for forgiveness. While humans like to scheme vengeance and punishment, God’s plan is not like that. This is not the trite “It must be a part of God’s plan” in reference to suffering. God’s plan is not for suffering, and we just have to sit back and figure it out someday. God’s will is peace, but sometimes human plans get in the way.

Year 4Eric FistlerIsaiahComment