Isaiah 55 | The Wolfe Notes

Welcome, Family! We're spending 2024 with the prophet Isaiah. While we claim no expertise, we're excited to sit with you as we both learn at the feet of Jesus. Each month, we offer a calendar that outlines daily exercises (adapted from Jenn Wilkin's Women of the Word Bible study process) to progress through Isaiah. Download November's calendar to begin with us and witness what we uncovered in our weekly "Wolfe Notes" postings.

Contents:

1. Different Versions Noting and clarifying differences between KJV & The Message.
2. Annotation My thoughts, connections, clarifications, and questions.
3. Research On Biblical symbolism of mountains and trees.
4. Summary An approximately twenty-word overview of the chapter.
5. Memorize Why I chose to memorize Isaiah 55:13.
6. Cross References Of Isaiah 55:13.
7. Respond to God's generosity.

Different Versions

I read Chapter 55 in the King James Version (KJV) and the Message (MSG). The KJV is a word-for-word translation while the MSG is a paraphrase.

Major differences I noticed (*My thoughts alone are in italics and designated with an asterisk.):

Isaiah 55:2

• Comparisons:
• KJV: Wherefore do ye spend money for (1) that which is not bread? and your (2) labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye (3) that which is good, and (4) let your soul delight itself in (5) fatness.
• MSG: Why do you spend your money (1) on junk food, your (2) hard-earned cash on cotton candy? Listen to me, listen well: Eat (3) only the best, (4) fill yourself with (5) only the finest.
• Discrepancies: 
1. "That which is not bread" (KJV) connects me with "the bread of life", who is Jesus (See John 6:35.). "Junk food" (MSG) leads me to think of intentional purchases and being wise stewards (See Luke 12:42-48).
2. "Labour for that which satisfieth not" (KJV) makes me consider if my goals are worthwhile; if I'm spending my time wisely. "Hard-earned cash on cotton candy" in MSG keeps me in the same frame of mind as the previous clause: "Am I being a good steward?" "Am I making wise financial decisions?"
3. "That which is good" (KJV) makes me think of the goodness of God (Exodus 34:6) and doing that which is good (Psalm 37:27). The Message's interpretation, "only the best", reminds me to choose carefully what I consume, which can easily be taken to a spiritual interpretation, as well: only consume thoughts or make choices that are full of God's goodness, for those are the best.
4. The KJV phrase "Let your soul delight itself" automatically brings me to a spiritual interpretation because the only thing my soul should delight itself in is Jesus. The MSG "fill yourself" starts me on a physical plane. I consider how the choices I make effect my physical well-being. Then, I consider it spiritually.
5. "Fatness", in the KJV, makes me think of sacrifice, and how the fat was offered to God for a sweet-smelling favorable sacrifice that resulted in the forgiveness of unintentional sins (Leviticus 4:31). I think of the abundance that God guides us to in a land of milk and honey (Numbers 14:8). "Only the finest", in the MSG, connects me with the King's feast no one would come to (Luke 14:15-24) and the Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-30).
• Thoughts: 
• The KJV encourages spiritual connections, while the MSG helps with real-life applications.
• The MSG breaks each chapter into sections which makes it easier to read a verse in context.

Isaiah 55:13

• Comparisons:
• KJV: Instead of the thorn shall come up the (1) fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the (1) myrtle tree: and it shall be (2) to the LORD for a name, for (3) an everlasting sign that (4) shall not be cut off.
• MSG: No more thistles, but (1) giant sequoias, no more thornbushes, but (1) stately pines - (2) Monuments to me, to God, (4) living and lasting (3) evidence of God.
• Discrepancies: 
1. Fir trees/sequoia and myrtle/pine. Does the difference matter?
2. "To the LORD for a name" and "Monuments to me, to God" feel different. The first more personal the second more public.
3. "An everlasting sign" (KJV) connects with other places the Bible mentions signs, like Jesus found lying in a manger (Luke 2:8-12) but "evidence of God" (MSG) is more general. 
4. "Shall not be cut off" (KJV) pairs with the "lasting" but perhaps not with the "living" part of the MSG translation.

Annotation

Notes on my process. *Denotes my thoughts alone. ! Denotes a connection. Researched quick answers are in italics. *R Indicates a topic with more extensive notes under the research heading.

Consume the Best: Water and Food (Isaiah 55:1-2)

1. If you're thirsty, drink freely! 
1. ! In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: fore the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) John 7:37-39 KJV
2. 🎵Come all you weary, come all you thirsty / Come to the well that never runs dry / Drink of the Water and thirst no more🎶 ("God So Loved" performed by We the Kingdom)
2. The price has already been paid.
1. ? How do you buy without money? The Hebrew actually says "weigh silver" which can mean "spend money", but Levitically, silver is linked to the concept of blood. Jesus' betrayal was 30 pieces of silver, which Judas noted was the cost of "betraying innocent blood" (Matthew 27:4) and we see the deeper meaning:  He bought our redemption through His blood. - Chuck Missler ~ 19:20
2. 🎶Jesus paid it all / All to Him I owe; / Sin had left a crimson stain, / He washed it white as snow🎵("Jesus Paid it All" performed by Kim Walker-Smith)
3. Don't waste your time and money on things that don't satisfy.
1. ! But everything she gets, all the money she takes in, will be turned over to GOD. It will not be put in banks. Her profits will be put to use the of GOD-Aware, GOD-Serving-People, providing plenty of food and the best of clothing. Isaiah 23:18 MSG (See cross references.)
2. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. John 6:35 KJV
4. Consume only that which is good.

Consume the Best: Purpose (Isaiah 55:3-5)

1. I offer you an enduring commitment.
2. Just as I made David a witness and leader of the nations, so do I make you.
3. People unknown to you will run to you because they see what I, Your God, have done for You.
1. ! You're going to need lots of elbow room for your growing family. You're going to take over whole nations; you're going to resettle abandoned cities. Isaiah 54:2-3 MSG
2. ! Come and see the works of God: he is terrible [awe-striking] in his doing toward the children of men. Psalm 66:5 KJV
3. 🎵Noel, Noel / Come and see what God has done / Noel, Noel / The story of amazing love! / The light of the world, given for us / Noel🎶 ("Noel" performed by Chris Tomlin; featuring Lauren Daigle)

Consume the Best: Choices (Isaiah 55:6-7)

1. So don't take for granted God's nearness to you. Seek Him. Pray to Him.
1. ! She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. Proverbs 31:13 MSG (See our notes.)
2. ! With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. Isaiah 26:9 KJV (See cross references.)
3. ? Won't we always be able to find God? Isn't He always near to us?
1. ! Your Redeemer God says: "I left you, but only for a moment. Now, with enormous compassion, I'm bringing you back. In an outburst of anger I turned my back on you - but only for a moment. It's with lasting love that I'm tenderly caring for you."  Isaiah 54:7-8 MSG (Research on this verse.)
2. ! Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Proverbs 6:6-9 KJV (See our notes.)
2. Banish wayward thoughts and harmful habits. 
1. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 MSG
3. Turn back to God who is full of mercy and ready to pardon. 

Consume the Best: Thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-11)

1. Don't expect to understand God's thoughts and choices. We operate completely differently than He does.
1. To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? Isaiah 40:18 KJV (See our notes.)
2. But trust that as the heavens water the earth to produce food that gives us life, ...
1. *The water cycle!
3. So does God's word fulfill the requirement to give us eternal life.
1. The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. John 1:14 MSG (Christmas connection.)
2. And Jesus said unto them, I am the the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. John 6:35 KJV 
3. True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade, but our God's Word stands firm and forever. Isaiah 40:8 MSG
4. 🎵Let me hear Your words / Above all other voices / Above all the distractions in this world / Your words bring us life🎶("Your Words" performed by Third Day featuring Harvest)

Consume the Best: End Goal (Isaiah 55:12-13)

1. Then, you will know JOY and all creation will celebrate with you.
1. *Mountains will be moved! (Referencing Mark 11:23-25)
2. 🎶And the angels cry, Holy / All creation cries, Holy / You are lifted high, Holy / Holy forever🎵("Holy Forever" performed by Chris Tomlin)
3. ? Is there symbolism for mountains and trees? *R
2. No more hardships. Only enduring strength that glorifies God.
1. And unto Adam he said, Because thou has hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Genesis 3:17-19 KJV (Research on working.)
2. ! "At that same time, a fine vineyard will appear. There's something to sing about! I, God, tend it. I keep it well-watered. I keep careful watch over it so that no one can damage it. I'm not angry. I care. Even if it gives me thistles and thornbushes, I'll just pull them out and burn them up. Let that vine cling to me for safety, let it find a good and whole life with me, let it hold on for a good and whole life." Isaiah 27:2-5 MSG (Connect with God's work on us, His vineyard.)
3. 🎵Oh how nature acquaints us / With the nature of patience / Like a seed in the snow / I've been buried to grow / For Your promise is loyal / From seed to sequoia 🎶 ("Seasons" performed by Hillsong) (Connect with Winter.)
4. 🎶I give glory to Your name O Lord / Glory to Your name O Lord / For Your name is great / And greatly to be praised🎵 ("I Sing Praises" performed by Josue Avila)

Research

*Thoughts that are mine alone are marked with an asterisk and italicized.

What is the Biblical symbolism for mountains and trees, as in Isaiah 55:12?

Mountains

• Kings and princes of nations of this world.
• Connections between heaven and earth, like a portal. Meeting places between God and mankind, temples. Where God dwells with and encounters humanity.
• [God] said, "Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I'll point out to you." Genesis 22:2 MSG
• And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. Exodus 24:12 KJV
• Arriving at Golgotha, the place they call "Skull Hill," they offered [Jesus] a mild painkiller (a mixture of wine and myrrh), but when he tasted it he wouldn't drink it. Matthew 27:33-34 MSG
• And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. Isaiah 2:2 KJV
• He took me away in the Spirit to an enormous, high mountain and showed me Holy Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God. Revelation 21:10 MSG

Trees

• Humans. People rejoicing at the Jews' deliverance or, presently, Christians rejoicing at a sinner's conversion.
• In a well-used Hebrew poetic pattern, creation on days three and six equate humans to trees.
• And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the third day. Genesis 1:12-13 KJV
• So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:...And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Genesis 1:27-28, 31 KJV
• You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. Psalm 1:3 MSG
• But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. Psalm 52:8 KJV
• To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, Messages of JOY instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. Rename them "Oaks of Righteousness" planted by God to display his glory. Isaiah 61:3 MSG
• I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5 KJV
• A place humans meet and are tested by God. 
• Then GOD planted a garden in Eden, in the east. He put the Man he had just made in it. God made all kinds of trees grow from the ground, trees beautiful to look at and good to eat. The Tree-of-Life was in the middle of the garden, also the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil. Genesis 2:8-9 MSG
• The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30 KJV
• [Wisdom is] the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her. Hold her tight - and be blessed! Proverbs 3:18 MSG
• The Tree of Life was planted on each side of the River, producing twelve kinds of fruit, a ripe fruit each month. The leaves of the Tree are for healing the nations. Never again will anything be cursed. Revelation 22:2-3 MSG
• Abraham took the wood [*same word as tree in Hebrew] for the burnt offering and gave it to Isaac his son to carry. He carried the flint and the knife. The two of them went off together. Genesis 22:6 MSG
• And the angel of the LORD appeared unto [Moses] in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. Exodus 3:2 KJV
• Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho. There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way - he was a short man and couldn't see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by. Luke 19:1-4 MSG
• Who [Jesus] his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. I Peter 2:24 KJV

*This verse describes an easy walk (Isaiah 35:8-10) to meet with God surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1) who celebrate and rejoice (Luke 15:8-10) in our journey of growth - from thistles to giant sequoias.

Sources: 

1. Bible Hub commentaries. Especially Gill.
2. Bible Project: "What Do Mountains Represent in the Bible" and "Humans are...Trees?"
3. Cornerstone Verses: "Significance of Mountains in the Bible"

Summary

Consume only the best: set your mind on God. Then, you will know true JOY and be celebrated.

Memorize

I chose to memorize Isaiah 55:13 MSG:

No more thistles, but giant sequoias, no more thornbushes, but stately pines - Monuments to me, to God, living and lasting evidence of God.

*This verse represents the change in me. I once was a small thistle or thornbush full of hurt, easily tossed around, and defensive toward others. Now, I have my roots firmly planted in Jesus and serve to represent His majesty here on earth.

Cross References

*Thoughts that are mine alone are marked with an asterisk and italicized.

Of  Isaiah 55:13 KJV.

Instead of the thorn...and instead of the brier...

• Genesis 3:17-19 KJV: And unto Adam he said, Because thou has hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all they days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
• Isaiah 5:6 MSG: "Well now, let me tell you what I'll do to my vineyard: I'll tear down its fence and let it go to ruin. I'll knock down the gate and let it be trampled. I'll turn it into a patch of weeds, untended, uncared for - thistles and thorns will take over. I'll give orders to the clouds: 'Don't rain on that vineyard, ever!'"
• Isaiah 7:18-19 KJV: And [flies from Egypt and bees from Assyria] shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.
• Micah 7:4 MSG: The best and brightest are thistles. The top of the line is crabgrass. But no longer: It's exam time. Look at them slinking away in disgrace!
• I Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV: Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

...shall come up the fir tree, ... shall come up the myrtle tree:...

• II Corinthians 5:17 MSG: Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life emerges! Look at it!
• Isaiah 41:19-20 MSG: I'll plant the red cedar in that treeless wasteland, also acacia, myrtle, and olive. I'll place the cypress in the desert, with plenty of oaks and pines. Everyone will see this. No one can miss it - unavoidable, indisputable evidence That I, God, personally did this. It's created and signed by The Holy of Israel.
• Isaiah 11:6-9 KJV: The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hold of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
• Isaiah 60:13, 21 MSG: The rich woods of Lebanon will be delivered - all that cypress and oak and pine - To give a splendid elegance to my Sanctuary, as I make my footstool glorious...All your people will live right and well, in permanent possession of the land. They're the green shoot that I planted, planted with my own hands to display my glory.
• Isaiah 61:3 KJV: To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of JOY for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

...and it shall be to the LORD for a name...

• Isaiah 43:21 KJV: This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.
• Jeremiah 13:11 MSG: Just as shorts clothe and protect, so I kept the whole family of Israel under my care "-God's Decree-"so that everyone could see they were my people, a people I could show off to the world and be proud of. But they refused to do a thing I said.
• Jeremiah 33:9 KJV: And [cleansing them from all iniquity] shall be to me a name of JOY, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.
• John 15:8 MSG: This is how my Father shows who he is - when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.
• I Peter 2:9-10 KJV: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 

...for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

• Isaiah 48:9 MSG: But out of the sheer goodness of my heart, because of who I am, I keep a tight rein on my anger and hold my temper. I don't wash my hands of you. (See cross references.)
• Isaiah 7:11, 13-14 KJV: Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above...[Ahaz refused. Isaiah responded:] Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
• Jeremiah 50:5 MSG: They'll ask directions to Zion and set their faces toward Zion. They'll come and hold tight to GOD, bound in a covenant eternal they'll never forget.
• Isaiah 54:10 KJV: For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
• Luke 2:12 MSG: This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.

*Conclusion: We began as thorns, dead in our sins. But now, we are glorious trees that live to produce fruit that gives glory to God and points others to His promise through Jesus Christ, His Son.

Respond

God is generous. He offers: 

1. Food that satisfies: Jesus, the BREAD OF LIFE. John 6:35 & Isaiah 55:2
2. LIVING WATER from a well that never runs dry: the Holy Spirit. John 7:37-39 & Isaiah 55:1
3. FREELY. The price has already been paid. I Corinthians 6-19:20 & Isaiah 55:1
4. A lasting covenant of LOVE and MERCY. Isaiah 54:10 & Isaiah 55:3
5. A clear PURPOSE of immense HONOR. I Peter 2:21-25 & Isaiah 55:5
6. Lavish, abundant, and complete FORGIVENESS. Isaiah 43:25 & Isaiah 55:7
7. DELIVERANCE. Psalm 37:39-40 & Isaiah 55:12-13

I have much to learn from His generosity.

I can accept and acknowledge the gifts He's given to me and find contentment in them. Then, from that place of JOY and peace, give freely to others.

In Closing

Father God, You lavish us with so many gifts that we ignore and even reject. Open our eyes to see Your gifts and to receive them graciously. Then, lead us to share Your gifts generously with others. Grow us from thistles to mighty trees who offer all that we have, all that we are, graciously. 

Learning with You,

Ready for Isaiah 56 & 57?

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*Image Credit: Redwood Tree by LoggaWiggler at Pixabay