The Everlasting Covenant

1. Read: Isaiah 55:3

2. About the Text:

1) “Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—The sure mercies of David” (Isaiah 55:3).

2) Most people are familiar with Isaiah 55:8-9 about the differences between God’s thoughts and our thoughts.

3) This chapter is part of a series of chapters discussing the future work of the Messiah.

4) Chapter 53 discusses the Messiah’s work in bearing our sins.

5) Chapter 54 talks about the Messiah’s work of reconciliation of the gentiles.

6) Chapter 55 discusses the Messiah’s message of salvation.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. It is spiritual in nature.

1) It does not require money to buy (v.1).

2) Unlike physical things, it is a message that satisfies (v.2).

3) “And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).

2. It is mediated by the messiah.

1) Those who hear and obey the message will live (v.3).

2) They will have an everlasting covenant (v.3).

3) This is the fulfilled covenant with David (v.3-4).

4) “And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’” (Acts 13:34).

3. The invitation is to all nations.

1) The messiah will call unknown nations (v.5).

2) “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39).

3) They will run to the messiah (v.5).

4) “Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).

5) Because God will glorify the messiah (v.5).

6) “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go” (Acts 3:13).

1. Seek the Lord’s ways and thoughts.

1) There is a time when the Lord may be found (v.6).

2) “For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

3) The sinner is exhorted to repent of his ways and thoughts (v.7) – Acts 17:30.

4) He is exhorted to return to the Lord for mercy and forgiveness (v.7).

5) “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 13:38).

2. Man’s way and thoughts are not sufficient.

1) His thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways (v.8).

2) “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

3) God’s thoughts and ways are higher than our thoughts and ways (v.9).

4) “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

1. We can trust that God’s word will succeed.

1) It is like the rain that brings growth (v.10).

a. It gives seed.

b. It gives bread.

2) It does not return to God void/empty (v.11).

3) It will prosper (v.11).

4) We must trust in the word of God to save us – Romans 10:23.

2. We can trust that God’s ways will bring great prosperity.

1) There will be joy (v.12) – Philippians 4:4.

2) There will be peace (v.12) – Philippians 4:6-7.

3) The world will come to life (v.12) – John 10:10.

4) There will be healthy growth (v.13) – God gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).

5) God’s ways will be recognized (v.13) – the fame of the cross – “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14).

1. The Messiah’s message of salvation is a message of . . .

1) Invitation

2) Repentance

3) Trust

2. Invitation