Isaiah 55 (NIV)
Throughout Scripture God provided what the Bible calls “signs.” That can sound spooky or kinda sci-fi, but you can think of it in the same way that we talk about signs. There’s a sign at the entrance to our street so you know where you are. There are signs at restaurants and shops so you know what kind of restaurant it is. God’s covenants always had signs with them, to help tell the people in the story (and those of us reading it later) where we are in the story and what kind of God is writing it. With Noah it was a rainbow in the sky, a reminder that the LORD would never again flood the earth. With Abraham it was circumcision, a way to mark out God’s people from the rest. And the list goes on.
Today’s passage speaks of another sign and another covenant. God’s people have broken there side of the covenant, but after the exile the Suffering Servant has brought Israel back into a kind of covenant renewal moment with the LORD. He says he will make an everlasting covenant and proceeds to describe the sign that will tell them when they have arrived. The sign will be life! Just like the Servant died and then came back to life, the LORD is saying that though his people were desolate, he will restore them. Life where there was death, beauty and nourishment where there was pain and suffering. The sign will be a restored people, flourishing as they were meant to from the beginning. Mercy. Joy. Belonging. Forever.
----------REFLECT----------
1. What words, phrases or images stood out to you in the passage?
2. When you think about your life, what signs can you point to of the faithfulness of God? What memories, experiences or relationships point to the work of God in your life or in the life of your family? And where do you feel in need of living water? In what ways do you thirst for the LORD?
3. The invitation in this passage is to come. You’re invited. Thirst will be quenched, the feast is free. And the celebration is one that will never end. The LORD is inviting you to seek him, to call on him. His mercy and pardon are ready and waiting to be lavished on you. What step do you need to take today to receive His compassion and faithful love?
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Bible Project: Isaiah 40-66 >>
BP Exploring My Strange Bible Podcast: The Meaning of Hope >>
InterVarsity Press Selections: Isaiah >>
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