I wonder how many of us can remember the last time we were
either really hungry or thirsty ??? Like in the Psalm; "my soul
thirsts, my flesh faints, as in a dry and weary land where there
is no water." And in the time of Isaiahs writing when he people
of Israel were captive slaves in Babylon, hunger and thirst
would have been a common and life threatening reality. Slaves by
definition work hard and are given little in return. So when the
Prophet Isaiah writes; "Hey, everyone who thirsts, come to the
waters, you that have no money, come buy and eat! Come buy wine
and milk without money and without price." His words just may
have had some impact and relevance! The thirsty and the poor are
invited to drink. Neither ones need, nor ones ability to pay
will stifle this gift. Far more than water is on offer. Wine and
milk, delightful things are for the taking and at no cost.
Imagine the sort of crowd these words could attract. In Isaiahs
time, access to these was the preserve of landowners, those with
vineyards and