Come to the Water

God’s steadfast love 
shall not depart from you
whoever you are
Though the mountains may fall down
and the hills be turned to dust

Come to the water
Come to the One who is life
the One who is love
All of you who are thirsty
come without any silver

God will place new stones
One will set new foundations
This love will be yours
Terror shall not come near you
Bend your ear so you will live

Life comes with playing
and you will fear none but One
Receive bread and wine
Getting whatever you need
even though you cannot pay

Why spend silver on
what will not fill or nourish
what fails to flourish
Waters flowing from above
Give attention / come for love

Let all who seek come
All who have nothing come too
Come to the water
where there’s always forgiveness
abounding in steadfast love

Let everyone come
for this is living water
the life of the One
God’s way of living will come
to your spirit in good time

You will be led forth
in peace and go out with joy
The mountains and hills
will break into song for you
and the trees will clap their hands

Reflections and Connexions

At some point in the writing of the Book of Isaiah this section was likely meant as a conclusion to the whole book. In Isaiah 2 after the consolations, the calls to all of humanity, the songs of the servant comes this invitation to a party. The hearers are free to do anything they want but why would they want to follow any other path. “Why spend silver on on what does not fill or nourish?” One amazing part of this vision for me is that it was very likely written during the Babylonian captivity to a people who had only know the life of that captivity. It could speak now to those who are following the ersatz religion of Christian Nationalism because their false prophets are speaking mostly about fear and loathing and what others are getting wrong. The poor folks – both the Babylonian captives and the captives of Christian Nationalism – have been cut off from what God is offering to everyone.

What is being offered here is similar to what Jesus is offering in the Sermon on the Mount and the reign of God – making a connexion with God now. There are no prerequisites or special words to say or things to believe or do but simply to be open to the love that God is already sending. Jesus teaches that at heart the community being offered is this ultimate and daily criterion. It is the union and communion between people and creation and the connectedness to God and each other. Rivalry, control, greed, and violence are not necessary, but justice, mercy, forgiveness, and nonviolence will show up soon. This gospel only flourishes in the realm of freedom. It is an invitation not an imposition. It is a new imagining, a living parable, perhaps even an attractive alternative. Come to the water.