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1“Listen! Are you thirsty for more ?
Come to the refreshing waters and drink .
Even if you have no money,
come, buy, and eat.
Yes , come and buy all the wine and milk you desire—
it won’t cost a thing.
2Why spend your hard-earned money
on something that can’t nourish you
or work so hard for something that can’t satisfy?
So listen carefully to me
and you’ll enjoy a sumptuous feast,
delighting in the finest of food.
3Pay attention and come closer to me,
and hear, that your total being may flourish.
I will enter into an everlasting covenant with you,
and I will show you the same faithful love
that I showed David.
4See! I made him a witness to the nations,
an example of leadership,
as prince and commander of peoples.”
5Look! You will summon nations you’ve never heard of.
Nations who have never heard of you
will come running to follow you
because Yahweh , your God, the Holy One of Israel,
has glorified you!
6Seek the Lord Yahweh when he makes himself approachable;[#55:6 “Seek” (Hb. daresh ) has the idea of visiting frequently more than trying to find something.; #55:6 Or “while he lets himself be found.” See 1 Tim. 6:16: “the immortal God, living in the unapproachable light of divine glory!” In Jesus, the Anointed One, God makes himself approachable (see 1 Tim. 2:5). This is the Hebrew word ehimase’u , a Niphal infinitive. It has the idea of obtaining or finding knowledge. The infinitive form would suggest an overwhelming amount or an abundance of knowledge can be found.]
call upon him when you sense he is near.
7The wicked need to abandon their ways,
and sinful ones need to banish every evil thought.
Let them return to Yahweh ,
and they will experience his compassionate mercy.
Yes, let them return to God,
for he will lavish forgiveness upon them.
8“For my thoughts about mercy are not like your thoughts,[#55:8 In the context, the thoughts of God refer to his compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. Man’s thoughts of mercy are not God’s. Man’s mercy runs out, but God’s mercy is higher than the heavens. God’s mercy and forgiveness are generous and abundant.]
and my ways are different from yours.
9As high as the heavens are above the earth,
so my ways and my thoughts are higher than yours.
10“As the snow and rain that fall from heaven[#55:10 In the language of biblical metaphor, snow is a picture of mercy blanketing the earth. Rain is a frequent symbol of revelation-teaching that soaks the heart (soil) and makes us fruitful. Note the six terms for God’s Word in vv. 8–10: thoughts, ways, snow, rain, seed, bread. These same terms can be used to describe the Lord Jesus. He is the seed of the woman, living Bread, the Way and the Life that sprouts in us. He is the Word that was sent (as our Apostle; see Heb. 3:1), and he will not return to heaven without accomplishing all God’s pleasure.]
do not return until they have accomplished their purpose,
soaking the earth and causing it to sprout with new life,
providing seed to sow and bread to eat.
11So also will be the word that I speak;[#55:11 In the context, God’s word is his promise to show love, compassion, and forgiveness to all who turn to him.]
it does not return to me unfulfilled.
My word performs my purpose
and fulfills the mission I sent it out to accomplish.”
12For you will leave your exile with joy[#55:12 See Rom. 14:17.]
and be led home wrapped in peace.
The mountains and hills in front of you will burst into singing
and the trees of the field will applaud!
13Cypress trees will flourish where there were only thorns[#55:13 Thorns are a symbol of the curse of sin. See Gen. 3:18; Matt. 27:29; Gal. 3:13–14.]
and myrtle trees instead of briars.
These will stand as a testimony to Yahweh ’s renown,
everlasting signs that will not be cut off.