Isaiah 55:1-13

* GOD’S INVITATION (1-5)

1. Read verse1. To whom is God’s gracious invitation given? What does it mean to be thirsty? How does this invitation reflect God’s grace? (Lk 15:20-24)

2. Read verse 2. What are the things for which we labor and spend money which do not satisfy? (John 6:27) What does he provide for those who listen?

3. Read verses 2-3a again. What does he mean by “Give ear and come to me” and “that your soul may live”? What does satisfy? How does Jesus fulfill this promise? (John 7:37-38; Rev. 3:20; Mt 26:26-29’ 1 Co 10:4; Matt 4:4; John 6:35)

4. Who was David and what was the covenant God made with him? (2 Sa 7:16) How did Jesus fulfill this promise? (Isa. 9:6,7a; Ac 13:34-38)

5. Read verses 4,5. How do these verses point to the new David, Jesus Christ, and to his great world salvation plan? (Jn 10:16, 4:42; Mt 28:19; 11:28-30)

* GOD’S COMMAND (6-13)

6. Read verse 6. When must we seek God? What does “while he may be found” and “while he is near” mean?

7. Read verses 7-9. What must we do in order to seek God? Why? What does God do for us when we come to him?

8. Read verses 8-9 again. What does it mean that God’s thoughts are not like our thoughts? (1Pe 1:24,25; Ro 11:33-36) (Also think about the pragmatic thinking of Esau (Ge 25:32; 28:8,9). See also Ge 6:1-13) Why must we give up our ways of thinking and doing?

9. Read verses 10-11. What promise does God give about his word? What does this mean to us, practically? Can you think of any examples of those who believed the word of God in spite of their circumstances? (Ge 12:1-3)

10. Read verses 12-13. Who may claim this promise? Why is it important to believe God’s promise? How does this promise plant hope in God’s people? When will it be fulfilled? (Ro 8:18-22)