23 February 2021

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10-11, NRSV

Although today’s reading consists of just one sentence, it is one with a powerful message. For the people to whom Isaiah’s words were addressed, the amount of rain and snow that fell was of crucial importance to their agricultural economy. The right amount of rain was literally a matter of life or death to them. They knew that a good year meant not only bread for survival that year but also the promise contained in the seed for the following year. In this extended metaphor, the poet helps the people to understand the power of God’s word. Just as the rain, God’s word brings refreshment, growth and life itself. This passage is a reminder that the Word of God was, from the beginning, the means by which the world was first created and continues to fulfil God’s will.

• • Why do you think that God (through the prophet) wanted the people to remember the power of his word?
  • Where do we hear God’s word today?

Reflect on how you can be involved in helping to accomplish the purpose of God’s word.