This chapter speaks of God’s salvation and it begins with the invitation of God.
All things are ready, the guest is invited, the only requirement is to come, Matthew 5:6. This finds fulfilment in Jesus, John 7:37-39. Salvation cannot be purchased, the invitation to freely eat and drink of that which the Lord offers is to all, John 3:16.
‘Come to me’ is the way of obedience by which the blessings may be obtained. God makes an everlasting covenant, Jeremiah 31:31-34, and all blessings may be received through obedience, 2 Samuel 6:16.
David is given to the people as a witness, Hosea 3:5. David said that he would proclaim the name of Jehovah among the heathen, and this he did in his seed, Jesus, 2 Samuel 7:4-17 / Psalm 18:50 / Psalm 57:9-10 / Psalm 89:34-35. Therefore, it was a prophecy of Jesus.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This unequivocally identifies the kingdom and covenant of the Suffering Servant with the Davidic, Kingly Messiah, the great fact which Peter stressed on the day of Pentecost when he spoke of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ as the enthronement of the Son of David (Christ) upon David’s throne in heaven!’
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This covenant would be made with all who would come to God. That New Covenant would not be identified with any race or nation, but it would be between Almighty God and all mankind!’
God’s gracious promises extended to all the world. If the wicked would be saved, he must forsake his wickedness and return to God. There is urgency in repentance, not because God will leave us, but because we may lose our opportunity to repent. It is now possible to seek the Lord and find Him, Jeremiah 35:31-35 / 2 Peter 2:20-22.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.
1. Men are by nature ignorant of God, otherwise they should not have been commanded to ‘seek’.
2. If men will obtain God’s favour, they must seek it.
3. The invitation to seek God is open to all men.
4. The knowledge of God is of inestimable value.
Here we read of God’s appeal to the unrighteous. There is a vast difference between the ways and thoughts of God and those of men, Jeremiah 10:23 / 2 Corinthians 2:15-17.
God has chosen the foolish and simple things of the earth to confound the wise, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. We think of Naaman, 2 Kings 5, and the walls of Jericho, Joshua 6, the plan of salvation.
We also read that God’s Word accomplished its purpose. This personification of the word presupposed that it is not a mere sound or letter. As it goes forth from God it has divine life and power. It goes, with life, from God and does not return until it has done the work God designed it to do.
The word of God is a part of God Himself and must not be regarded as a ‘mere word’. God’s Word is indeed the seed of the kingdom, Luke 8:11. It is the Word of God that changes the hearts of men, Hebrews 4:12.
We also read that the Word realises its fulfilment. In joy and peace, the people will return to the land, Isaiah 5:5-6, and their condition in that land will be reversed, 2 Corinthians 4:15. This return serves to testify to God’s faithfulness.