Hungering for God

Isaiah 55

“The work of the servant (Jesus), which restored the abandoned woman (Zion/Jerusalem) and rebuilt the ruined city, now calls not only Israel but the whole world to celebrate the victory won and enemies defeated.” ESV Commentary

1. Understanding the limitless supply vs. 1-3

The imagery here is evident. It is like a street vendor declaring to all he has the best food available and no one can compete...cost? To you nothing, it has been paid for.

For the Christian, we are given the limitless supply of God to taste, experience and know. We could receive our fill and be satisfied. Not just the basics either...bread and water but the luxurious items, milk, wine, meat.

The psalmist says Psalm 34:8 “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

Now I am tempted as I am sure you are to waste time or skimp in my availability of God. Maybe we become accustomed to a less than diet. As had been said, “Don’t be a habitual faster of God’s Word, but be a feeder on the Word.”

In v. 2, God begs the question why are you wasting your time, resources, and energy pursuing something that won’t satisfy? It’d be like you taking a piece of moldy bread or thrown out leftovers from the trash after your mom or wife prepared a culinary masterpiece and saying I’d rather have this.

So what are you spending your efforts on? Pursuit of money, pursuit of a career, pursuit of sports, pursuit of relationships...the list can go on.

God is warning us, the war has been won. The restoration process begun. Yet you return to your vomit Proverbs 26:11 “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.”, your former lifestyle, and it cannot be helped that you wonder why hasn’t anything changed?

God stands in the street calling for all to come and experience His mouth watering, 5 star cuisine and never turn back to the microwave food again.

But how do we develop that? How do we grow in hunger for God’s Word. It is a daunting book with lots of weird names, confusing places, and strange laws. Plug into some older mature people and asking questions. Grab a commentary on a book and work your way through it.

V. 3 God recognizes that it will take work to get to know Him deeply. He planned it that way. He sent us a helper to understand His Word and He gave us a family to grow together.

Here is a great tool from John Piper for prayer before reading Scripture:

Incline my heart Psalm 119:36 “Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”

Open my eyes Psalm 119:8 “I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!”

Unite my heart Psalm 86:11 “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”

Satisfy us Psalm 90:14 “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”

2. Understanding our call for others vs. 4-7

V. 4 addresses David’s line which we come to understand finds fulfillment through Jesus. David’s greater Son. Romans 15:12 “And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”” Cf Isaiah 11 of the future promise of David’s throne continuing.

“The word “leader” (Hb. nagid) is regularly used of David and usually emphasizes his divine anointing; “commander” emphasizes his regal nature and echoes “God the Warrior” (Isa. 9:6).” ESV Commentary

V. 5 tells us of our great calling. We as beggars who heard the call of the vender v. 1 are to go and tell others about the great food we’ve discovered. Why? V. 6 time is short. The time is drawing short for people to come to Christ.

So once we understand our calling, how do we do it? Well obviously we speak...but there are barriers. But we must work to overcome them. But prayer is highest on the list. Next you need to know the needs. Then you meet those as you share the hope of Christ you have.

When you are home this week, devise a list/map of your neighbors and ask the question, do I know them? If not discover a way to do that beginning step. Next, do I know their spiritual state? If not, find a way to ask the question. Then you go from there. Are you saying ask them directly? Yes. Share the hope you have in Christ with them. Invite them into your community...but they are weird, its ok so are you. They will fit in.

If we all came to the Word like George Mueller, I think we would see more fruit in our lives and growth around us.

A. Word first then prayer, allowing it to fuel our prayers

B. Eating to the point of desiring to feed others, no fast food

C. Allowing it to Nourish us, the meditation process

D. Speak it to our friends, share it with someone else

If we have reach this point in the chapter and you are missing how generous God is. You are not paying attention. V. 1 come, buy, eat. V. 2 be satisfied, v. 3 steadfast love, v. 5 the nations will run, v. 6 seek the Lord and v. 7 abundant pardons.

3. Understanding God’s work is mysterious vs. 8-13