Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-07-27
LESSON FOR JULY 20
GODS GRACIOUS INVITATION.

The Bible is throughout a forward
looking book. No matter how dark
the light, it looks forward to the dawn
of a new and better day. Whenever
written, the prophet looks forward to-
ward the end of the Babylonian exile.
Isaiah died about 142 years before that
event. That scene is laid in Baby
lonfa. Isaiah prophesied in Jerusalem.
!. The Invitation, wv. 1-S) In Or
der to understand the fullness and
blessedness of this invitation, we
should read in its connection chapters
53 and "a. In chapter 53 we have a
prophecy and vision of the Messiah,
making his atonement for sins,
wounded for our transgressions."
Again we have in this connection a
picture of the Messiah as our leader
and Savior. In chapter 55 we have
the invitation and joyous welcome to
the beautiful city which he is estab-
fishing for us.
G Who Is Invited? The word "Ho"'
Is perhaps an abbreviation of the
word "Hold," used to excite attention.
one: (a) the thirsty" to those who
are needy; (b) the poor and the rich;
those without money" and the supply
is abundant, even as the water. Every
one is invited without limitation or
distinction. The greatness of a manis
spirit is measured by the numbers Of
his desires and thirsts, by their quail
tiles and by his capacities or the in
tensity Of his thirst. Those invited
were to have ''wine," a luxury, and
milk" staple necessity, without
money and without price. The cur
rency of the kingdom of Heaven is
grace ". y. Money has it's uses, but
it will never bring things that are best
and really worth while. The only sat
isfactory investments we have are
those which are made in the kingdom
Of God. In Australia we are told
there is the "Nardoo Plant" which
will satisfy hunger but does not sup
| ply nourishment, so that those who
eat it are soon hungry again. Thus
| it is with the pleasures and profits of
| this world. Wherefore do ye spend
money for that which is not bread and
labor for that which satisfieth not?"
Solomon tried all that the world could
give under the most favorable circum-
stances, yet found it to be "vanity
and vexation of spirit"
(2) Who Will Come? (v. 81. Only
those who are listening and who are
attentive. Many fail of eternal life
| do o&f IN
the claims Of religion. Come unto
me-" (Matt. II :2S). We go to God
for salvation and help, and we find
life. Life is more than mere exist
ence. 1t is the natural, harmonious,
joyous activity of every part of our
being The result of coming is, "your
soul shall live" and the surety of it
is, ian everlasting covenant" Liter
ally, an agreement with promises
which can never be broken, namely,
''the sure mercies of David" (See Il
Sam. IL 20; Cor. II 1927; Ps. SO Ia !;
also Luke 20:41, AZ. We are bought
but we did not pay the price. The
mercies of David are the antitype of
our Savior; the mercy of grace. True
satisfaction is in its right order, (See
w. 2, 81. Christ is a faithful witness,
the exalted one, ". 81 to this cove
nant.
(3) When to Come ". g.. While
he may be found, and while he Is
near, implying time when he may
not be found and a time when he will
not be near. All of Gods promises are
conditional.
[4) The Way to Come (v. y. For
sake open sin, turn from unrighteouS
thought, turn to the Lord and receive
his multiplied pardon Man is every
where depicted in the Scriptures al
wandering away from the true. Goo
and there is no salvation if we insis
on continuing in sin.
II. The Transformation (vv. 8-1S)
Gods promises have back of them al
the power of the universe and are as
certain as the process of the seasons
In working out his transformation II
the character of man, we are to thini
his thoughts after him We see ane
know only very little of this spirit
! but God sees, knows and controls the
! universe, which is at his command
q Cor. 10 :13; Phil. :19). We are Il
. enter into his ways, and his ways art
as the heavens, higher than those Of
: the earth. Having entered into hi!
: ways we are to bring his fruits (see
John 15). If the Divine seed ". IL.
is implanted within US, then we may ex
, pect to see the fruits of the kingdom
of God, which are born of the spirit
, (Gal. 5:22-26). This transformation
l involves service, for we are to have {
mission, "go out to all the earth,' be
ing led by the Messiah and thus re
ceive 'joy and peace" AS sure al
"the rain cometh down and the snow
: from heaven and returneth not bu
: watereth the earth," so is the seed O.
the Word in the hands of the sower. tt
become bread to the eater. AS we g
8 forth we have his promise ". I'D that
! 'sit shall not return void but shall &C
complish that which I please, and /
i shall prosper in the thing whereto
l sent it." AS result the "thorns' (evil
Q shall be displaced by Zig trees
{ (good). Gods word bears fruit In i'm
planted lives. John 6 :33; James lis
I Peter 1 :23). God calls this word
which is spoken of by the prophet, M
0 word" What the prophet says, Co
: says. What an inspired man says, Go
inspires him to say. Gods promiS
will be consummated in redeeming sc
ciety, as we'll as redeeming creatio
wv. 1918; Ch. 35 10; 40 $40; 81 III
Jer. 81 :12-14; lisa. So :1,2). The lar
guage about the mountains and hill
breaking forth into singing, is il
terpreted in Psalms 65 lib.