Sanctifying Question

How do you experience the richest of feasts in your relationship with Christ?

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Prayer Practice

Take time to thank God for providing grace and love with extravagance.

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Readings

Old Testament:  Isaiah 5:1-7

Psalm:  Psalm 71:1-6 (UMH 794)

Epistle: Hebrews 12:18-29

Gospel: Luke 15:11-32

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Isaiah 55:1-9

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​"Is anyone thirsty?  Come and drink - even if you have no money!  Come, take your choice of wine or milk - it's all free!."

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"Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?  Why pay for food that does you no good?  Listen to me, and you will eat what is good.  You will enjoy the finest food."​​

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"Come to me with your ears wide open.  Listen, and you will find life.  I will make an everlasting covenant with you.  I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.  See how I used him to display my power among the peoples.  I made him a leader among the nations."

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"You will also command nations you do not know, and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey, because I, the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious."

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Seek the Lord while you can find him.  Call on him now while he is near.  Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong.  Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.  Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

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"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord.  "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

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A Little Context​​

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The book of Isaiah is often divided into three sections by scholars.   This is due to both thematic content and literary style.  The Babylonian exile is one of the most pivotal events in the Old Testament.  The Babylonians attacked the southern kingdom of ancient Israel (Judah), destroyed the temple in the capitol city of Jerusalem, and deported many citizens to Babylon.  The three sections of Isaiah can be understood to have been written before the exile (1-39), during the exile (40-55), and after the exile (55-66).