When the prophets speak of the word of God, they always mean something entirely concrete and connected with their own spiritual experience. The word of God is absolutely real to them; they truly hear God's voice as clearly as...
When the prophets speak of the word of God, they always mean something entirely concrete and connected with their own spiritual experience. The word of God is absolutely real to them; they truly hear God's voice as clearly as we hear the voices of people addressed to us. God speaks with the prophets just as we speak with one another. But this is not all: in God's word there is something more than will and revelation addressed to a person.
For God, the word is also an instrument of His action in the world. By the word God creates the world; by the word He governs it. It can appear that the word the prophet hears and the word by which God governs the world are two different realities, called by the same name because of the features of biblical usage, but this is still not entirely so. Of course, the revelation received by a particular person cannot be compared with the power by which God creates the world or directs the movement of natural forces in it. But in both cases there is also an essential similarity: in both there is that meaning which nature does not have and without which there is no created universe.
The science that studies nature, whether physical nature or psychic nature, can find an answer to the question "how," but it does not seek answers to the questions "why this way" or "for what purpose." For God, however, these very questions are central. The world for Him is full of meaning and meanings: meaning as a whole that reflects His design for the world, and meanings as the purposes He has set for everything He created, from a human being to a star and a grain of sand. And in our world only a human being can understand these meanings placed by God in the things He created; moreover, for a human being, meanings are inseparable from the word. It is no accident that even before the fall, it was precisely the human being, who at that time saw God's meanings with complete clarity, who was given the opportunity to give names to everything surrounding him and to everything with which he had to interact directly.
That is why God's will is revealed to a person in the word, not only when the matter concerns personal revelation, but also when it concerns the created universe as a whole. Without the word, the world is a machine, sometimes obedient to man but more often hostile to him. With the word, it is the place where man meets God, a meeting that makes man a participant in the fulfillment of God's plan, if only man himself wants this.
55 An invitation to seek for spiritual blessings from Christ, whom the Father sends, Isa 55:1-5.
To come to him speedily and by repentance, Isa 55:6-7.
His grace infinite, Isa 55:8-9.
His word powerful, Isa 55:10-11.
The joy of believers, Isa 55:12-13.
55:1 Thirsteth - For the grace of God and the blessings of the gospel.This thirst implies a vehement, and active, and restless desire after it.No money - Those who are most worthless and wicked, if they do but thirst may be welcome. Buy - Procure or receive that which is freely offered.Wine and milk - All gospel - blessings; in particular, that peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, which are better than wine, and that love of God which nourishes the soul, as milk does the body.
55:2 Money - All your time, and strength, and cost. Not bread - For those things which can never nourish or satisfy you, such as worldly goods, or pleasures. Eat ye - That which is truly and solidly, and everlastingly good. In fatness - In this pleasant food of gospel - enjoyments.
55:3 An everlasting covenant - That everlasting covenant of grace and peace which I made with Abraham, and his seed. Of David - Even that covenant which was made first with Abraham, and then with David, concerning those glorious and sure blessings which God hath promised to his people, one and the chief of which was giving Christ to die for their sins. David here seems to be put for the son of David.
55:4 Behold - I have appointed, and will in due time actually give.Him - The David last mentioned, even Christ. A witness - To declare the will of God concerning the duty and salvation of men, to bear witness to truth, to confirm God's promises, and, among others, those which respect the calling of the Gentiles: to be a witness of both parties of that covenant made between God and men. The people - To all people.
55:5 Thou - Thou, O Messiah. Call - To the knowledge of thyself.Knewest not - With that special knowledge which implies approbation.Because - Because the Lord shall by many tokens, manifest himself to be thy God, and thee to be his son and faithful servant. Glorify thee - By confirming thy word with illustrious signs and miracles, and particularly by thy resurrection, and glorious ascension.
55:6 Seek - Labour to get the knowledge of God's will, and to obtain his grace and favour. While - In this day of grace, while he offers mercy and reconciliation. Near - Ready and desirous to receive you to mercy.
55:7 Return - By sincere repentance, and faith.
55:8 For - If any man injure you, especially if he do it greatly and frequently, you are slow and backward to forgive him. But I am ready to forgive all penitents, how many, and great, and numberless soever their sins be.
55:10 The snow - Which in its season contributes to the fruitfulness of the earth. Returneth not - Without effect. And bread - That it may bring forth store of bread - corn, both for mens present supplies, and for seed for the next year.
55:11 My word - My promises, concerning the pardon of the greatest sinners. Void - Without success.
55:12 Therefore - Ye shall be released from your bondage.Peace - Safely and triumphantly. Clap - There shall be a general rejoicing, so that even the senseless creatures shall seem to rejoice with you.
55:13 Instead - Whereas your land was filled with thorns and briars, as was foretold, they shall be rooted out, and it shall be planted with fir - trees and myrtle - trees, and such other trees, as are useful either for fruit or for delight. The church shall be delivered from pernicious things, and replenished with all divine graces and blessings.It - This wonderful change shall bring much honour to God. A sign - For a monument, of God's infinite power, and faithfulness, and love to his people to all succeeding generations.