(Vs. 1) "Ho, everyone that thirsteth," not in a natural sense as the woman at the well first thought; but everyone whose soul thirsts for Fellowship with God (for mercy, forgiveness, and life) is called to the fountain of life.
"Come to the waters." Come to the water of life that cleanses and refreshes, to the WINE that makes the heart glad and to the MILK which gives life and health. It's FREE to those who are poor and have nothing to pay; it's already paid for by the blood of Christ (Rom. 3:24).
(Vs. 2) Why do men spend time, energy, and strength in pursuing a false religion which is not the bread of life and can never satisfy? Salvation by works is not bread, it is chaff; it is not nourishing, it is harmful; it will not satisfy, only condemn! "Listen to me," saith the Lord, and feed upon Christ; and your soul shall rest and delight itself in His fulness (Col. 2:9-10).
(Vs. 3) Here are two precepts and two promises.
THE PRECEPTS
2. "COME UNTO ME" (Isa. 1:18; Matt. 11:28; John 7:37-38). Don't turn to religion, to law, nor to men. "Come to me."
2. "I WILL MAKE AN EVERLASTING COVENANT WITH YOU, EVEN THE SURE MERCIES OF DAVID." Peter calls these "precious promises." This is the everlasting covenant which David (on his dying bed) called "all mysalvation and all my desire" (II Sam. 23:5). Here are five of those sure mercies of David.
b. "They shall all know me" (Jer. 31:34).
c. "I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sins n (Jer. 31:34).
d. "I will give them one heart and one way" (Jer. 32:39).
e. "I will not turn away from them and they shall not depart from me" (Jer. 32:40).
(Vs. 5) We do not look to nor follow Him in vain, for He shall not fail (Isa. 42:1-4). He shall call and save the Gentiles, who shall WILLINGLY run to Him because of the power of God ( Psalm 110:3). All that Christ is, does, and will do for His people shall be for the glory of God (John 17:1-4; I Cor. 15:27-28; Eph. 1:6, 12, 14).
(Vs. 6) Are you thirsty? Are you poor? Have you inclined your ear and heard? Have you beheld the great Messiah. Christ Jesus? Then "seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near." Bartimaeus did; the woman with the issue of blood did; the thief did! What is it to seek the Lord?
(2) It is to desire His mercy and fellowship with Him more than all.
(3) It is to be made willing to be saved on His terms that He might be just and justifier.
(4) It is to be willing to part with all that is opposed to Christ.
(5) It is to HIM, not His. If we have Him, we have that which is His.
(2) A god who could set aside his RIGHTEOUSNESS may one day set aside his MERCY.
(3) A god who could deny his LAW may one day deny his GOSPEL.
(4) A god who could change his CHARACTER may one day go back on his PROMISES. But the God of glory is never unjust in order to be gracious. He saves and accepts sinners, but not until Christ has honored His law and satisfied His justice. This is God's way, and it is the way of peace and assurance!
(Vs. 12-13) God's people shall go out of bondage with joy and be led forth in peace without fear of ever being retaken by their enemy. Even the creation shall rejoice with them and for them. Their land, once subject to the same bondage of sin, shall be freed and partake in their redemption (Rom. 8:19-23). In all this His name shall be exalted and glorified.
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