Do you like to eat? Most of us do! And we like good, wholesome, nourishing food. However, with the economy the way it is, food prices today are rather high, and the average person on a fixed budget has to be careful with how they shop. For many of us, the days of walking into the grocery store and getting just about anything we want are long gone! Yet our physical bodies need good food to survive. Now what if someone offered you the opportunity to get all the food you need without having to pay a cent! I’m sure most people would jump at that chance! People have a spiritual nature, in addition to their physical one, and that nature needs to be fed, as well. Our Scripture for today tells of an offer of free nourishment for our spiritual nature. Let’s take a look.
We’ve all had moments when we’ve been hungry, and when that happens we go in search of something to eat. How about when we’re spiritually hungry? Everyone has felt that way at one time or another, though they may not all realize it. They are spiritually hungry and thirsty, and they need to know where to go to satisfy that need. In our opening verses, God calls out to come to Him to receive spiritual food - bread, wine, milk, all without cost. God offers us free nourishment that feeds our soul. We come to God (vs.1), listen to Him (vs 2), seek and call upon Him (vs 3).
God’s salvation is freely offered. However, to nourish our soul we must receive it. We will spiritually starve if we do not accept the food of God’s Word. God’s free gift of salvation is offered to all who will receive it. Three times the word “come” is used, as God invites us. This corresponds with Revelation 22:17, where the word “come” is also used three times. Those who are spiritually hungry and thirsty may come to eat and drink freely without money. We cannot buy salvation. Accepting the Holy Spirit’s invitation will satisfy fully. This invitation is for all, both Jew and Gentile. No one who comes to God will ever be turned away.
Just as you are careful about what food you consume, not wanting to eat anything that would make you sick, Isaiah warns us to be careful about what spiritual food we eat. Don’t go after something that is “not bread”. This is the bread of deceit (Proverbs 20:17), and is spiritually harmful. Instead, seek the Bread of Life, (John 6:32-35), which comes from the Lord Jesus, and will bring us eternal life.
In the second portion of our Scripture this week, Isaiah tells how God’s Word will accomplish the purpose for which He sent it. It will not come back to Him empty (vs. 10-11). When God sends the rain or snow, the moisture it brings to the ground fulfills its intended purpose. In the same way the Word of God will also fulfill its purpose, and that is to bring salvation to hungry souls, and build them up spiritually. He reveals Himself to us by His Word, which will not return to Him void or in vain. The Bible accomplishes God’s purpose in announcing salvation to all mankind. The Lord promises to bless His Word, and we are wise if we honor Scripture by obeying it, and speaking it to others.
As our Scripture closes, Isaiah speaks of the day in the future when Israel will finally be restored, when they finally accept Jesus Christ as the Savior and Messiah (vs. 12-13). On that day, the entirety of the world will be greatly blessed. Exiled Israel will return from her dispersion, rejoicing in her deliverance. In God’s kingdom, the curse upon nature will be reversed, and mankind will be restored. Sinful man is born morally a “thorn” and a “brier” (vs. 13). But the Messiah and Savior can recreate him as a “cypress tree” and a “myrtle tree”.
You have been given an invitation to come and be fed with God’s unlimited food at no cost. Will you accept? Though it is without cost, to reject will ultimately be most costly to you. Come, buy without money or price, and eat!
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