CrossTalk Scripture Focus Background
Today’s Scripture Focus: Isaiah 55:1-13
We are continuing our journey through Isaiah, the first of the Major Prophets. This week’s Daily Scripture Focus (found on the next page) covers Isaiah 53-58. This section will bring to conclusion the message of Second Isaiah, which is primarily concerned with the Jews in Babylonian exile, and will begin the last section of Isaiah – a section many scholars have termed “Third Isaiah”. Third Isaiah seems to be written to the post-exilic Jewish community, or those Jews who will have returned to Jerusalem after the exile (538-516 BC). Remember, Jerusalem had been conquered by Babylon (modern Iraq) and its citizens taken captive. Several generations later, Babylon fell to Persia. Cyrus the Great gave permission for the Jewish exiles to return home.
Isaiah 53-55 concludes the passage of Isaiah known as the Suffering Servant. The themes of this section are suffering as a result of obedience to God, and redemption. Chapter 53 (along with the end of 52) is the well known passage normally read on Good Friday each year. It is the fourth and longest of the “Servant Songs” found in this section. The Servant’s suffering has so disfigured him that everyone is aghast at his appearance. Paul would later draw the connection between the Servant and Jesus on the cross (Romans 4:45). Isaiah 54 continues the positive picture of redemption taking the negative aspects and turning them into positive images, for example, their widowhood is now marriage with God as husband (Isaiah 54:5).
Today’s scripture focus is Isaiah 55:1-13. This chapter returns to the theme of a new exodus, introduced in chapter 40. The first three verses are reminiscent of a custom used by new kings to establish their throne. When a new king took power, he would hold a special banquet, and cancel any debts of those in attendance to the old king. It was a way of announcing that a new day had arrived. God, through the prophet, is telling the people to come and eat, for a new day has arrived! For the first time in this section, God invokes the name of David, letting the people know that He will restore the covenant made with David’s line. Verses 6 and 7 are an open invitation to all those wanting to participate. They merely need to seek and repent.
The preceding verses would have raised a lot of questions in the minds of the returning exiles. How could God make a new day for a people so long in exile? How could He restore the covenant made so long ago with King David? Who would this suffering servant be who would lead them, and how could He be a light to the gentile nations as well? In the remaining verses, God reminds the people that it is impossible for them to understand His ways of thinking and acting, in the same way it was at that time impossible for the people to understand what made the weather and caused plants to grow. By simply speaking, God made it so. Therefore, the people could trust that when God said He would get them safely to Jerusalem, and reestablish their nation, that it would be done and done permanently.
Today’s sermon will remind us that God’s ways are still above our ways, but we can still trust that He knows what He is doing.
CrossGroup Discussion Guide
• Go around the table and share prayer requests. Have someone lead in prayer.
• Let everyone who would like share anything exciting from their week.
• Ask these three questions. Let as many answer each one as would like.
1. Is there anything in today’s scripture that especially speaks to you?
2. What questions would you like to ask about today’s scripture?
3. In a day when science has unlocked so many of life’s mysteries, what questions can only God answer?
