Chapter One

Isaiah 55:1-3, 6-13

Reflection

This Bible passage is the glorious finale to the second book of Isaiah, called Deutero-Isaiah, written during the Babylonian exile. Most scholars agree that there really were three authors for the Book of Isaiah. The first author wrote in Jerusalem before the Exile (Chapters 1–23, 28–33, and 36–39), the second author wrote from Babylon during the Exile (Chapters 34–35 and 40–55, Deutero-Isaiah), and the third author wrote upon returning to Jerusalem (Chapters 24–27 and 56–66, Trito-Isaiah). While all three books are connected theologically and thematically, they cover about 150 years of history.

The passage we just read in Isaiah 55 is the closing of the second book. The tone in this part of Isaiah has changed, from condemnation of the people of faith to consolation and comfort. This is the climactic end, and in this passage the writer portrays a God who can level mountains and trees and is more powerful than in the Exodus. The prophet, with poetic grace and stirring prose, envisions a paradise emerging before his eyes as God's people are restored. The people receive comfort and hope as all of nature becomes a sign of God's work and fulfillment.

The prophet's vision begins with an invitation for the poor to take part in a feast so wonderful that even the trees will clap their hands with joy. The feast is about spiritual bread, to be sure; but the prophet is also referring to real bread. It is real suffering that the people have