The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-07-20
LESSON TEXT.-Isalah 5s.iis Mem

LESSON TENT.--Isalah 55.i-iS Mem
ory verses 6-S Read also Isaiah 81
GOLDEN TEXT seek ye the Lord
/ while lie may he found Isaiah 55s.
TIME. Isaiah prophesled between the
years go and 1oi b L. The edict for the
rcfurn OF the Jews from captivity was
SVEN SIS II. &.
PIACE.-lsalahp rophesied IN Jerusalem
Mao scholars think this portion OF the
book was written by prophet az Babylon.
SCRtPrU RE REFERENCES Compare
the Invitation Of lisa 5S;i, 2. with those OF
john ti0-lt: 6S2-sS. f.aT -. Rev. q -, .g.is.
The sure mcrvics Of David a. lisa. $50
and in sam 3.S-i6. 23:5. Psa. 1880. SIS %.
Gct light on 8 from lisa asa H.-3. ga.
For the thought Of v . see lsa ts.s. Jer.
9I2-M
Comment and sugg estivs Thought.
V. I. "Ho." An exclamation 10 at
tract attention. Modcrns have eX-
banded 1t into Hello. Every one mat
thirstcth." One must feel his need in
order to be attracted to that which
will supply g. Waters, milk. wine.
BY these expressive figures tde prophet
seeks to set forth the blessings Of sal
walton.
V. ? spend not bread" II
would be foolish to spend money for
articles Of food OF drink. which. in
stead OF nourishing the body. poison
Il. that is what the drunkard does
V. 3. Incline your ear and come.
Hear and heed" Is the reiterated call
OF this passage. Your soul shall live"
Our spirit. heart. real life. can be sup
ported only by communion with Jesus.
An everlasting covenant" An agree
ment that can never be broken.
Va. Him" II seems dimcult TO
decide whether the historical David.
or "Davids greater Son. Jesus. Is
here alluded To. David was In some
ways a type OF Jesus He was a
witness" to the surrounding nations
OF the true God
VS.. Thou shalt call a nation" etc.
As David spread the knowledge OF the
true God. 40 do Christians spread the
knowledge OF Jesus.
v 8 Seek ye the Lord" While Gods
always seeking US. there must be in our
part also a seeking. or. rather. a will
ingness TO be found While lie may
be founu." This implies that a time
will come when God cannot be found.
this will be because our hearts have
grown hard 50 that they do not re-
spond TO His loving touch.
v :. The prophet now goes on 10
tell how 10 seek the Lord. wicked
forsake his way" Break off sinful
habits. turn from bad companions and
haunts OF vice. "Cnrightcous man.
Literally. the man of falsehood"-
that is. one who Is false instead OF
true. His thoughts" Evil thoughts
put a barrier between God and MAJ
vs.. Z. . My thoughts are not your
thoughts" etc. This refers especially
TO Gods thoughts about saving men
These surpsss anything that could have
entered into our. minds. Their vast
ness is pictured by pointing 20 the
heavens. Countless worlds appear
there as stars. while in size they far
exceed our earth or sun. so are Gods
thoughts and ways beyond ours In
the matter OF pardon. for instance.
when We pardon those who have
wrOuged us. IL is apt TO be grudglngly.
with reservations. and with a feeling
that We never can forget the injury,
but Cod abundantly pardons.
Va 10. IL. Gods work In the proc
esses OF nature Is often pointed to that
we may learn therefrom about His
processes of grace. As He sends the
rain and snow. so he has provided for
refreshing and fertiiizing our hearts.
The means ne has furnished for doing
this is here called My Word" We
must recollect the power OF the crea-
tive word OF God. think OF the heart
touching power OF the words OF Jesus
by which the lives OF those who heard
were enlightened and purified. God .
purposes for our salvation. az embodied
In His word. shall not return void"
that is. they shall accomplish that
for which they were Intended in The
salvation Of mankind.
v. IL. For ye shall go out with
Joy These words seem to apply pri-
marty 90 the return OF the captives
from Babylon; and. secondarily. to all
the people of God who shall be deliy-
cred from the bondage Of sin and led
into the enjoyment OF peace and glad
ness through the reign OF Christ in the
hearts OF men everywhere. The scene
is one OF real JOY.
V. 10. Instead of the thorn" The
emblem OF sin. Shall come up the
FIR tree Representing beauty and
usefulness. SO of the "brier" and
myrtle tree" So great is the power
OF the Gospel that II can change ma
lures which are sharp. thorny and
hateful. until they MI places OF
beauty and usefulness in the world
This Is accomplished. in a measure. in
every converted soul; the picture will
be filled out when Christ shall rule all
nations. and all men become His loyal
subjects. And Il" tboth the works
of nature and the offer of salvation
made in the preceding verses) shall
he to the Lord for name" win re-
veal Gods love and His glory tconi-