Questions 2 Day 14 More Than A Bargain: Digging Deeper
Digging Deeper Days
Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
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The Questions
1) Who was Isaiah?
2) How do water, milk, and wine connect with this prophecy? (verses 1-3)
3) Can God really forgive wicked and sinful people? (verses 7-9)
Isaiah 55:1-13
“Come, everyone who is thirsty,
come to the water;
and you without silver,
come, buy, and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without silver and without cost!
2 Why do you spend silver on what is not food,
and your wages on what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and you will enjoy the choicest of foods.
3 Pay attention and come to me;
listen, so that you will live.
I will make a permanent covenant with you
on the basis of the faithful kindnesses of David.
4 Since I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples,
5 so you will summon a nation you do not know,
and nations who do not know you will run to you.
For the Lord your God,
even the Holy One of Israel,
has glorified you.”
6 Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call to him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked one abandon his way
and the sinful one his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord,
so he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will freely forgive.
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
and your ways are not my ways.”
This is the Lord’s declaration.
9 “For as heaven is higher than earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For just as rain and snow fall from heaven
and do not return there
without saturating the earth
and making it germinate and sprout,
and providing seed to sow
and food to eat,
11 so my word that comes from my mouth
will not return to me empty,
but it will accomplish what I please
and will prosper in what I send it to do.”
12 You will indeed go out with joy
and be peacefully guided;
the mountains and the hills will break into singing before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thornbush, a cypress will come up,
and instead of the brier, a myrtle will come up;
this will stand as a monument for the Lord,
an everlasting sign that will not be destroyed.
Original Intent
1) Who was Isaiah?
Isaiah is considered one of the major prophets in Scripture, not because he was among the most important or because his message was better, but simply because he had the most to say. Bible students categorize Old Testament prophets into 2 sections, Major and Minor, based on length of their prophetic books. Isaiah’s book contains the longest recorded prophecies in Scripture. As prophet, Isaiah was God’s mouthpiece. The Holy Spirit spoke God’s messages to prophets, in this case, Isaiah, then the prophet would speak God’s word aloud verbally, and often in writing, to Israel. Isaiah was the main prophet of God for 60 years though he was a contemporary of other prophets, Amos, Hosea, and Micah, who championed social justice. Isaiah served four kings and survived multiple sieges by invading armies. Like most prophets, he endured intense persecution, which necessitated him living underground in tunnels and caves for a time. As one of God’s prophets, Isaiah knew in advance what God was doing as He revealed certain events, but he could neither prevent nor stop them. He gave warnings or encouragement to God’s people, but their decision to either repent or rebel was up to them. It’s also interesting to note, Isaiah is the most quoted prophet of New Testament writers.
2) How do water, milk, and wine connect with this prophecy? (verses 1-3)
At the time of Isaiah’s writing, the once unified nation of Israel had long been divided into two nations, Judah (where Jerusalem was) in the south, and Israel in the north. The nation of Judah was usually the one following, or making some attempt to follow, Jehovah. This time, however, they had turned away from God as they persistently ignored Him so they could continue pursuing their own sinful lifestyles. These verses are an invitation for Israel to repent and receive restoration from the Lord’s own hand. By turning back to Jehovah, they would find all the fullness and satisfaction they so desperately sought in lesser loves. God was telling His people they had been wasting their money on things that brought momentary pleasure. Then, finding themselves still lacking, they repeated their chase of counterfeit indulgences over and over again. God had other nourishment to give His people, sustenance that would endure. He was offering them complete satisfaction for their souls. Water is absolutely necessary for life, and Jesus came to bring “living water” where life would be found to the fullest and most abundant in Him alone. In ancient times, water was kept in cisterns, but it turned flat. Though still hydrating, it wasn’t as fresh as free-flowing water. Jesus came to give the very best of life in sustenance and satisfaction. By offering wine, God was expressing He would bring His people joy and encouragement that would satisfy forever. Milk, a first food for infants to sustain life, is rich in nutrients and is life-giving. God included milk in His invitation of return to His people to demonstrate the richness of His word and His blessing as a gift for nourishing life to its fullest.
3) Can God really forgive wicked and sinful people? (verses 7-9)
The people of Judah got into trouble because they stopped listening to Jehovah. They saw their neighbors, and other nations who seemed more prosperous and powerful, and they wanted to run their nation their way instead of God’s. They listened to those who came into their city either as visitors or as captives and slaves from a battle victory and decided full surrender to God was less appealing than following the ways of their lusts. They allowed other voices besides Jehovah’s (and His prophets) to speak to them because they wanted to stop hearing about repentance. They took up lifestyles of those who weren’t following Jehovah because they seemed to offer more pleasure and more fun, at least that’s how it appeared. But it wasn’t life giving, or life sustaining. Sin never is. The wise author of Proverbs says it like this, “But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they don’t know what makes them stumble.” (Proverbs 4:19) The New Testament author, and half-brother of Jesus, James, later wrote, “each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.” (James 1:14-15) God repeatedly warned His beloved people through Isaiah (and other prophets) to turn back, repent of their sinful, wicked ways; always coupled with the promise of forgiveness and restoration. He is reminding His people in these verses that, contrary to their thinking, He does know what He’s doing, He is a God of second chances, and rich redemption. He is repeating His plea from verse one, “Come to Me. Be forgiven!” (Isaiah 44:22)
Everyday Application
1) Who was Isaiah?
Have you ever thought to yourself, “I wish I had seen this coming!”? While this sounds appealing at first, I’m not sure I personally would want to know all that was ahead in life. I think if it were negative, the weight and anxiety would be too heavy to bear. Although, I’m sure in my younger years I probably thought otherwise! In life, we occasionally, or sometimes frequently, encounter situations we wished we could be removed from, because they’re painful, sorrowful, or extremely difficult. Sometimes the struggle is a result of our own making, when other times, it simply happens to us. Perhaps you’ve wished for the ability to turn the clock back and prevent whatever your struggle is, or at least see into the future to find out how long it will last. Isaiah knew specific armies would overthrow his nation, and he knew times would come when neither he, nor other prophets of God, would be safe. Prophets, in general, were not well-loved and weren’t winning any popularity contests because God’s messages spoken through them were usually of impending doom as a consequence for rebellion. Most kings Isaiah served under did not appreciate his downloads from Jehovah. Even though Isaiah had a heads’ up from God as to what was coming, he still had to trust He would do as He said He would, and that He would preserve Isaiah through it. God asks us to do the same, even though we can’t see the future. We are invited to cast all our cares on the Lord because He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7) We are told countless times in Scripture to trust Him over ourselves (Proverbs 3:5), and to know that our strength and help certainly come from the Lord God, maker of Heaven and earth. (Psalm 121) Where can you start choosing trust over fear starting today?
2) How do water, milk, and wine connect with this prophecy? (verses 1-3)
Have you ever felt like you were just spinning your wheels in life; continually looking for something? Chasing something? Day to day going around in circles with nothing accomplished or little to show for it? God is offering nourishment for spiritual hunger and thirst, and encouragement to strengthen you. He is actively calling you, in this moment, into a life that is deeper, fuller, and more satisfying. No matter how long you have walked with Jesus or even if you have never crossed the line of faith, there is more fullness to discover about God. Isaiah wrote, “Come, everyone who is thirsty…”. (verse 1). All. This invitation was not just for the Jew, but also for the Gentile. Jesus picks up the theme of “all welcome” throughout His ministry on earth. His heart is for all to know Him, repent, and be given fullness of life. (John 4, 1 Timothy 2:3-4) This includes you and me! Isaiah’s prophetic invitation is a timeless one calling through the millennia that we too can have restoration in God! Jesus came, and sacrificed Himself for us, that we might not perish apart from Him as a result of our sin. (2 Peter 3:9) We labor for things that will only temporarily satisfy us. We are always thirsting for more, but if we continue seeking pleasures that will fade, we will forever want for more. In sharp contrast, Jesus says He alone is the source of abundant fulfillment. (John 10:10) Jesus, who calls Himself Living Water, offers a continuously fresh, life giving, always flowing supply of satisfaction like nothing else can. The life Jesus offers drenches and soaks deep into your spirit, never running dry. (John 7:37-39, Revelation 21:6) As we lean into more of God and seek after Him, we will experience His love and mercy towards us in ever-deepening ways. Come! Seek Him while He may be found and find the fullness of life! (Isaiah 55:6)
3) Can God really forgive wicked and sinful people? (verses 7-9)
Scripture is clear God wants no one to perish! (2 Peter 3:9) It can be tempting to think Isaiah’s words, written thousands of years ago, just aren’t relevant to us today. But they are. God’s message of repentance and welcome for all people and His promises of forgiveness and redemption are available in this very moment to all of us. (2 Corinthians 1:20, Joshua 21:45) Because of Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection for all people, forgiveness and redemption are available to all sinners. We can take these Old Testament promises for us today because of Christ. Jesus calls us back to repentance, back to Him, back to a full life with Him. He invites us to turn from our sinful ways. “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32) Our sinful patterns may not be a result from listening to captives from a pagan land, but perhaps we are listening to a friend or influencer who isn’t following the Lord God. These temptations often catch us in moments of weakness, we quickly take up that appealing but sinful, life-sucking (if we are honest) desire. Take comfort, oh sinner just like me, God’s promises of compassion are timeless! It is challenging, even if you are a Christ-follower, to genuinely trust that He knows all, and His ways are better than ours. In His loving kindness and grace, He lovingly guides us in our everyday moments, giving us many opportunities to return to Him as we learn to trust Him in complete surrender. Even knowing we will get bruised and maybe fall flat on our face, He is faithful to pick us up, calling us His own. His mercies are new every morning and His love is boundless. (Lamentations 3:22-23) We have this assurance because of Christ and His ultimate sacrifice as He surrendered His life so ours can be spared, forgiven, redeemed, and welcomed into life everlasting! Have you given Him your everything?! (John 15:13, John 3:16, John 10:27-28)
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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!
1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!
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Why Dig Deeper?
Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.
In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!
Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.
Study Tools
We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.
Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!
Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))
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