OT Notes for March 3 Is. 55:1-9

1) Is. 55 is a much beloved passage. If you go with the tripartite division of the large book, this would be toward the conclusion of part 2.
Oh, before I forget, we are using Patricia Tull's study of OT texts for Lent through thoughtful christian. so far, they have been great, and she derives some different spiritual practices from the readings. She selecfts choose well as the suggested practice for this reading with Ps. 63.

2) My Oxford study bible notes more than a hint of Wisdom's invitation in Prov. 9.

3) The waters are free, but aren't they priceless? In Lent, how is it appropriate or helpful to link this to the living water of John 4 or the water toward the end of Revelation? Now immediately, it moves toward food. Apply that to both social justice and spiritual need.

4)The first part of v. 2 is a stirring Lenten invitation to an acceptable fast from our insane pace and frentic rushing about. I suppose the second section could appeal to gourmands. Is it a licit move to speak of spiritually rich food, given the spiritual junk food we tend to consume?

5) Is v. 5 a different view of a messianic task that the power of Israel?

6) v. 6 recalls Dt. 30 on God's closeness. Where do we seek God where God cannot be found? when do we wish god were far away?

7) vv8-9 is a stirring reminder that this forgiving, intimate god is most decidedly not a mortal, not a cosmic pal. I think of the Barthian "wholly other" phrase when I read this part.I also think of Lamott's quip that" when god hates the same people we do, then we know we have made god in our image."