The Green Forest tribune., 1917-07-27

The Bible is throughout a forward looking book. No matter how dark the light, 1t 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 lonia. Isaiah prophesied in Jerusalem. . !. The invitation, (vv. 1-S) In or der to understand the fullness and blessedness of this invitation, we should read in its connection chapters 53 and 54. In chapter 53 we have prophecy and vision of the Messiah, making his atonement for sins, wounded for our transgressions." Again We have in this connection 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.
 CD Who Is Invited? The word "Ho" is perhaps an abbreviation of the word Hold" used to excite attention. This invitation is extended to every 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 q mans spirit is measured by the numbers of his desires and thirsts, by their quail ities 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 (v. D. 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 SUD- ply nOurishment, so that those who eat it are soon hungry again. Thus it is with the pleasures and profits of IIllS HoiI Id " IlClcIO dO iC SDCllh money for that which is not bread and labor for that which satisfeth not?" Solomon tried all that the world could give under the most favorable circum- stances, yet found it to be "vanity and yexation of spirit"
 (2) Who Will Come? (v. 3. Only those who are listening and who are attentive. Many fail of eternal life because they do not pay attention to 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. It 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, "an everlasting covenant" Liter ally, an agreement with promises which can never be broken, namely, the sure mercies of David" (See Il Sam. 12 :29; Cor. IT :7-27; Ps. 80 :1-4 also Luke 20 Al, 44). We are bought but we did not pay the price. The mercies of David are the antitype or our Savior; the mercy of grace. True satisfaction is in it's right order, (See w. 2, 3. Christ is a faithful witness, the exalted one. (v. 3 to this cove nant
 (3) When to Come (v @. While he may be found, and while he is near, implying a 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. ?. 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 as wandering away from the true God and there is no salvation if we insist on continuing in sin.
 II. The Transformation (vv. 8-13). Gods promises have back of them all the power of the universe and are as certain as the process of the seasons. In working out his transformation in the character of man, we are to think his thoughts after him. We see and 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. 4:19). We are to enter into his ways, and his ways are as the heavens, higher than those of the earth. Having entered into his ways we are to bring his fruits (see John 15). If the Divine seed (v. ID 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 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 as "the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven and returneth not but watereth the earth,' so is the seed of the Word in the hands of the sower, to become bread to the eater. As we go forth we have his promise (v. ID that, "it shall not return void but shall &C., complish that which I please, and 1t shall prosper in the thing whereto sent it." As a result the "thorns" (eviD shall be displaced by fig trees' (good) Gods word bears fruit in im- planted lives. (John 6 :33; James :18; I Peter :23). God calls this word, which is spoken of by the prophet, My word" What the prophet says, God says. What an inspired man says, God inspires him to say. Gods promise will be consummated in redeeming so- ciety, as well as redeeming creation (vv. 12,13; Oh. 35 no; 49:9,1O; 51 Ill; Jer. 31 :12-14; Isa. 35:1,2). The lan-