Bible Commentaries

The True Imperialism

Isaiah 55:1

I. " Isaiah 55:1

I. To Whom this Offer is Made.

It is to every one thirsty and penniless. That is a melancholy combination, to be needing something infinitely, and to have not a farthing to get it with. But that is the condition in which we all stand, in regard to the highest and best things.

The man that knows what it is of which he is in such sore need is blessed. The man who only feels dimly that he needs something, and does not know that it is God whom he does need, is condemned to wander in a dry and thirsty land, where no water Isaiah 55:2

Money and labour are the two great commodities which rule the exchange of life. The rich man gives his money, the poor his labour; and the words of our text therefore challenge the two classes of society—the one because they make a foolish expenditure of wealth, and the other because they get a poor return for their work.

I. Unwise Expenditure.—It Isaiah 55:10-11

The Gospel is compared to rain and snow in its

I. Origin.—"From heaven." All truth is Divine in its source.

II. Operation.—"Watereth the earth." The Gospel produces a marvellous change on the human heart.

III. Benefits.—"That it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater." The Gospel gives instruction, comfort, strength, confidence.

IV. Final Results.—" It shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." We do not see this yet; but we shall by and by.

—F. J. Austin, Seeds and Saplings, p48.

References.— Isaiah 55:13

By "a name" we mean a reputation. This old Testament word carries the same signification in my text

I. It is Necessary that God should have a Name. —It is not necessary that we should have a name, but it is obviously necessary that God should. One of God's earliest rights is the right of reputation. This shall be accorded Him, says my text, "And it shall be to the Lord for a name".

God desires a name. Some believe in an impassive God. Surely not such is the God of the Bible. It is necessary God should have a name that His people may realize it. One of our greatest spiritual blessings is to realize the reputation of God. Men must know what God is that they may appreciate Him with reverent appreciation.

It is necessary God should have a name for the world's sake. Man, considered as separated from God by sin, needs to know that august and redeeming name. Give God a name, for till men know God they are dead whilst they live.

II. God's Deliverances of His People give Him a Name.—Note the prophecy in v12 , "For ye shall go out... and be led forth".

God has a wondrous reputation in all things. But that He is the God of deliverances gives Him His greatest name. God has such a conception of redemption as never entered into the heart of man.

God delivers from guilt. God delivers from evil habit. God delivers from sorrow.

III. The Characteristics of God's People give Him a Name.—The emancipated ones are to be marked by "joy" and "peace". We give God a name when gracious characteristics mark us. Joy is the privilege of the Lord's redeemed. But peace is an even richer gift.

IV. Nature, as Suggestive of the Spiritual, gives God a Name.—"The mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." Nature has a mystical value. To some souls Nature is non-spiritual. They find God eludes them in that province. To others Nature is a shrine of God and is crammed with heaven.

Said Blake, who was alike painter and poet, "You ask me if, when I look at the sunrise, I see a round disc of fire something like a guinea. No, I do not. I see an innumerable company of the heavenly host, crying, "Holy, Holy, Holy"." He added, "I look through the window, not with it".

V. All Beautiful Transformations give God a Name.—"Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name." Every renewed nature is a testimony to God. National and world-wide conversion will glorify God's reputation in inconceivable degree.

—Dinsdale T. Young, The Crimson Book, p221.

References.— Leviticus 13.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xiv. No833; vol. liii. No3044. A. W. Mathews, "Let the Myrtle Flourish," Sermons, 1900-1902. LVI:2-5.—H. D. M. Spence, Voices and Silences, p259. LVI:4.—J. Parker, City Temple Pulpit, vol. iii. p69. LVI:4,6.—Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xlviii. No2762. LVI:8.—Ibid. vol. xxiv. No1437. LVI:12.—A. Maclaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture—Isaiah XLIX-LXVI. p162. LVII:1.—J. Keble, Sermons for the Saints" Days, p41. LVII:6.—S. A. Tipple, Christian World Pulpit, vol. lxix1906 , p377.