Why spend money on things that don’t satisfy? That’s the question this chapter opens up. And it’s a really good question. How much “stuff” do we have that we bought and now it gathers dust. It didn’t satisfy. Could we look at our bank statement and determine that we invest in things that matter?

The statement isn’t a condemnation so much as it is an invitation.

“Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and you will enjoy the choicest of foods” (v. 2).

He invites Israel to pursue him and they will be delighted by His goodness. He says nations will come to them and bring them honor.

For those that come to him he is willing to forgive them. So seek the Lord while he may be found. He is open and willing to forgive.

His ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts higher than our thoughts.

Then he says his word is like rain. Whenever rain hits the land, it changes things. Green explodes, flowers bloom, plants prosper and the earth comes alive. This is the same way with His Word. It is like rain that brings a return. So His word when it goes out will accomplish its purposes. There will be great life, beauty and blessing.

This chapter calls to us all.

1. Pursue him with the resources we have. Make sure we are investing our time, money and energy into what matters.
   
2. God is not waiting to condemn, but waiting to forgive. The invitation has been made. We can seek him and be found by him.
   
3. His Word will not return empty. Therefore it’s important that his Word goes to the nations. End Bible Poverty Now. It also is a call to us. If His Word is like rain to the earth, then how important is it to be regularly watering our souls? His Word in us also will not return void, not just for the nations and the many, but for each one of us.