Come, Buy Wine and Milk

Isaiah 55:1-13

Key Verse 55:1

1. In verses 1-3 the word "come" is repeated 5 times. What do the following expressions mean? 1) All you who are "thirsty"; 2) come to the "waters"; 3) buy "wine and milk"; and 4) "buy" without money and without cost?

2. Think about the question posed in verse 2a. What does it mean to: 1) "spend money on what is not bread"; and 2) "[spend] labor on what does not satisfy"? 

3. In verse 2b, the word "listen" is repeated twice. What is a "soul"? (3a) What does "the richest of fare" refer to? What does the expression, "your soul will delight in the richest of fare" indicate about the need a soul has?  

4. The words "me", "I", or "my" in verses 2 and 3 refer to the Lord God (1:18). What do the following expressions tell us about the way to accept what the Lord desires to offer? 1) "Listen, listen to me"; 2) "Give ear and come to me"; and 3) "Hear me". How will the Lord bless those who respond to his invitation? (4,5)

5. What do the following exhortations in verses 6 and 7 tell us about the struggles we need to make in fulfilling the desire the Lord has for us? 1) "Seek the Lord while he may be found"; 2) Call on him while he is near; 3) Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts; and 4) Let him turn to the Lord...and to our God..."

6. Compare verse 7 with verses 8 and 9.  Note such words as, "his way", "his thoughts", "my thoughts", "your thoughts", "your ways", or "my ways". In what respect is it difficult for the wicked to "forsake" his way or his thoughts and turn to the Lord? Yet, why should he do so? 

7. Read verses 10-13. What does this passage tell us about the work the word of the Lord fulfills? 

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