Renew: Our Humanity to God's Glory

The Invitation

This passage in Isaiah starts with an invitation.

When I think of invitation I think of exclusivity. I think of parties with close friends, family, or social groups (In my case pastors). These parties are always targeted. They are always focused and they always involve invitation.

The invitation from God, here in Isaiah 55 is different. The invitation is broad, cast out to many. Hardly exclusive at all. And it starts with, not a declaration, but a question.

Now this invitation is beautiful, full of promises, but I’m not so sure that people are biting… I think we need to take a moment and pause for some backstory.

What Happened to David’s House?

There once was a man named Abraham and his wife Sarah, and they had grown old together, having no kids of their own. Then one day God promised Abraham a son and from that son more, and from those more to many and from that many to a nation.

Long story short God did what he promised.

So the nation of Israel, the decedents of Abraham have come to a realization that other nations around them have structures with people in charge, and they wanted that, so God, whom they were meant to see as their king, anointed a king over Israel, Saul.

Saul was just okay, and then God anointed a new king, David.

David was THE KING. This is the guy that Israel was proud of. Sure he made some mistakes, big ones even, but he humbled himself and repented! What an absolute legend! From David came a legacy, not just of sons and kings but of narrative.

This legacy of David was meant to be it. After all God had covenanted to Israel to make them a priestly kingdom and holy nation and David was the epitome of their people! Israel loved David so much that they began to see all Israelite royal that came after him as a part of the house of David.

Eventually, the house of David became divided. The kings were turning from the Lord, and like a home neglected for generations, the house of David fell. It fell to Babylon.

This fall would be so great that Israel would remember it long after even Jesus came. In the book of Revelation, the very last text of our bible. Babylon becomes a primary metaphor for evil.

Where we find Isaiah and the Israelite people is in the midst of the fall to Babylon. So here is this invitation made from a God who, to many in Israel, had already backed out on his promises. And some of these people are wondering what good the invitation is?

It’s time for a remodel!

Yet the Lord God has a plan. He’s got everything they need to restore this house into something even better than it was before.

God makes this invitation, recognizing needs and from verses 2b-7 God shares his plan.

God is calling Israel back to him to live again. Not just as they once were but as they were intended all along.

In the midst of their hurting, suffering, and mourning, Israel blamed God. I get that, and you know what? I think God gets that. Certainly God seems to take it in stride. But with this explanation. He reminds them that God wasn’t ever unfaithful. That evil deeds of the powerful and their participation in a systemically broken world led them to this place. So what does he call them to? (Reread 2b-7)

He calls them to listen. He calls them to speak. He calls them to remember. He calls them to see.

He hears their suffering, he longs to answer their calls. He knows that they have suffered under the weight of sin, and is offering relief in the form of forgiveness and mercy.

The tools of renovation are mercy and forgiveness. They are steadfast, and unfailing love.

What incredible news for the Nation of Israel! Isn’t their God so good?!

But wait this is our God too…

The Invitation 2.0

Some generations later, after Israel is saved from Babylon, only to fall into the same old pattern of unfaithfulness. God shows up again.

This time it isn’t Babylon that is the oppressor, it’s Rome. An empire reigning supreme over much of the Mediterranean.

It isn’t a prophet speaking a message from God either. This time God shows up in the flesh. Jesus, God, comes baring gospel news of a new kingdom. A kingdom where jews and gentiles, slave and free are all met with the glory of God. Salvation is no longer for the Israelite. It is for the world.

This new invitation from Jesus, to the Kingdom of God, may seem even more extreme, but it’s simply an echo of so many other points in scripture. Including this Isaiah 55 passage.

Reread 8-13

Reread 11, multiple times with emphasis.

The Promise

God’s word, Jesus Christ, who was in the beginning, creating, molding, forming and breathing life into us, is the same God who promised a nation to the barren Abraham and Sarah. That God is the same God who patiently restored Israel over and over and over, despite their infidelity to their God.

From the very beginning of it all, to this very moment, God is present with Creation, with us.

The very breath that we draw is a proclamation of God’s goodness.

Call band up.

Think about your life as you walked into this place today.

For some of us, we’ve come to Church steeped in the spirit, the Holy Spirit wafting from our hearts like a rich aroma.

We are overflowing with the spirit. Don’t hold that back Church! Celebrate, testify, proclaim the steadfast love of our good and gracious Lord! Amen!

For some in this room. Parched just doesn’t describe the dehydration in our lives. It’s not simply dryness. Not simple thirst. Like a desert we have long given up on fruitfulness.

If that’s you, I have great news, there is an oasis here, with waters ready to gush out over the barrenness of your heart. You aren’t alone. Watch. Listen. The spirit of God, like Christ to the woman at the well, like this word in Isaiah to all of Israel, has come with an invitation to us. An invitation to come and drink. To receive the good news from the Word of God, from Jesus. Salvation is waiting for you. All you need is to accept this invitation.

We’re going to sing part of our last song one more time. For those of us who are spirit filled, will you praise the lord with these words. For those who are in desperate need of the lord this morning, I invite you to the altar this morning. Come accept this invitation.

Sing All Hail King Jesus.