Abundantly Pardon – Isaiah 55:1-9

The families of victims murdered by Gary Leon Ridgeway were given a chance at his sentencing in 2003 to speak to him.  When the time came for Robert Rule, the father of teenage victim Linda Jane Rule, to speak, Ridgway finally showed a glimpse of remorse.  Rule’s words to Ridgway were: “Mr. Ridgway . . . there are people here that hate you. I’m not one of them. You’ve made it difficult to live up to what I believe, and that is what God says to do, and that’s to forgive. You are forgiven, sir.”  There are nine other stunning examples of forgiveness chronicled on Listverse.com.  Why do we find it so hard to understand abundant pardon?

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.  Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.  Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples.  Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  (Isaiah 55:1-9 ESV)

Israel is being invited by God to trust Him and find life in Him in accord with the covenant He made with David, Israel’s king in perpetuity through his offspring.  Israel may not comprehend why God would offer such love and forgiveness but He is offering it, offering abundant life in the land and influence over the nations, if they will come, if they will seek Him.  His ways are not their ways, His thoughts higher than theirs.

There is a food and drink that comes from God, that is richer than any earthly food and brings everlasting life.  And it is free for those who incline their ear and come to God.  It is covenant relationship with God based in His love and promises for David, whose greater son is destined to rule all nations.

So seek Yahweh while he may be found, while the day of redemption is near.  Forsake the way of self-rule and trust the way of Yahweh, because it is higher, better, more profitable, more satisfying, more true to who we are as those made in His image.  The way of Yahweh is beyond our ability to create ourselves.  When we come to Him in this way His pardon is abundant.  It is not reluctant or partial, but total forgiveness given with great rejoicing.

Come!

Discussion Questions

1. What is the biggest thing you have had to forgive someone for?
2. Did the person you forgave know you did, and how did they respond, if so?
3. Why do you think Israel is has trouble believing that God wants to give her free prosperity and influence?
4. Did you or do you have trouble receiving God’s free forgiveness and relationship?  Why or why not?
5. Jesus said he who loves much has been forgiven much.  How have you seen that played out in your life?