Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
Isaiah 55 is a powerful and inviting chapter, extending a free offer of salvation and abundant life to all who will listen. It's a message of grace, urging us to turn away from that which doesn't satisfy and embrace the true and lasting provision of God. This chapter speaks not only to the immediate context of Israel in Isaiah's time, but also points forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus Christ.
An Invitation to Satisfying Grace (Isaiah 55:1-5)
The chapter opens with an urgent call: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost" (Isaiah 55:1). This isn't a sales pitch, but a divine invitation. God is offering something of immense value—spiritual nourishment and satisfaction—completely free. It’s a stark contrast to the world’s system, where everything comes at a price. How often do we waste our time and energy on things that ultimately leave us empty, things that "do not satisfy" (Isaiah 55:2)? God's offer is a radical alternative: true fulfillment comes not from striving and earning, but from receiving His grace. This is a powerful Old Testament affirmation of God’s free gift of grace.
The everlasting covenant mentioned in Isaiah 55:3 is fulfilled in Christ. Through Him, we receive the sure mercies of David, promises of a kingdom and an eternal inheritance. Verses 4 and 5 point to the Messiah, Jesus, who would be a "witness to the peoples, a leader and commander" (Isaiah 55:4). He will not only rule over Israel, but also draw Gentile nations to Himself, nations that previously did not know Him (Isaiah 55:5). Christ’s kingdom reign will extend to every corner of the earth.
A Call to Repentance and God's Unsearchable Ways (Isaiah 55:6-9)
The gracious invitation in Isaiah 55:1-5 is followed by an urgent call to seek the Lord: “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near" (Isaiah 55:6). This urgency emphasizes that the opportunity to receive God’s grace is not unlimited. There is a time to seek, a time to find. The wicked are exhorted to forsake their ways and return to the Lord, who promises to have compassion and abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:7).
The magnitude of God's forgiveness is emphasized by His own words: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). God's grace often defies human logic. We struggle to comprehend a love that extends to the undeserving, a forgiveness that wipes the slate clean. But God’s perspective transcends our limited understanding. We need the Holy Spirit to enable us to have a heavenly perspective; we need “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).
The Power and Certainty of God's Word (Isaiah 55:10-11)
These verses offer rich encouragement regarding the power of God’s Word. God’s Word is not empty or ineffective. Just as rain waters the earth and brings forth life, so God’s Word accomplishes its intended purpose (Isaiah 55:10). It will not return to Him void, but will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it (Isaiah 55:11).
Humans often make grand plans. They plot and scheme. Sometimes they succeed; often they fail. That’s because they lack the power to guarantee their plans. Power is the ability to effect change or produce a desired result, and God’s Word alone has that kind of guaranteed power. The unstoppable power of God’s Word to accomplish all of his purposes, in fact, sets it apart in a class by itself. God’s Word is always purposeful, and his purposes are always achieved. The Bible can be trusted. This provides immense comfort and assurance. We can trust in God's promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them.
A Transformed Creation (Isaiah 55:12-13)
The chapter concludes with a vision of transformation and joy: "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands" (Isaiah 55:12). This speaks of a restoration that extends beyond the individual to encompass all of creation. The curse of sin will be reversed, and the earth will flourish. The thornbush and brier, symbols of the fall, will be replaced by trees of beauty and fruitfulness (Isaiah 55:13). This transformation will be a lasting sign, "an everlasting sign, that will endure forever" (Isaiah 55:13), a testament to God's faithfulness and the power of His redemption.
Isaiah 55 paints a glorious picture of God's grace, His unwavering Word, and the ultimate restoration of all things. It is an invitation to experience true satisfaction, to embrace God's higher ways, and to participate in His transformative work in the world. It is a message of hope and joy for all who seek Him.
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
Isaiah 55 is a powerful and inviting chapter, extending a free offer of salvation and abundant life to all who will listen. It's a message of grace, urging us to turn away from that which doesn't satisfy and embrace the true and lasting provision of God. This chapter speaks not only to the immediate context of Israel in Isaiah's time, but also points forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus Christ.
An Invitation to Satisfying Grace (Isaiah 55:1-5)
The chapter opens with an urgent call: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost" (Isaiah 55:1). This isn't a sales pitch, but a divine invitation. God is offering something of immense value—spiritual nourishment and satisfaction—completely free. It’s a stark contrast to the world’s system, where everything comes at a price. How often do we waste our time and energy on things that ultimately leave us empty, things that "do not satisfy" (Isaiah 55:2)? God's offer is a radical alternative: true fulfillment comes not from striving and earning, but from receiving His grace. This is a powerful Old Testament affirmation of God’s free gift of grace.
The everlasting covenant mentioned in Isaiah 55:3 is fulfilled in Christ. Through Him, we receive the sure mercies of David, promises of a kingdom and an eternal inheritance. Verses 4 and 5 point to the Messiah, Jesus, who would be a "witness to the peoples, a leader and commander" (Isaiah 55:4). He will not only rule over Israel, but also draw Gentile nations to Himself, nations that previously did not know Him (Isaiah 55:5). Christ’s kingdom reign will extend to every corner of the earth.
A Call to Repentance and God's Unsearchable Ways (Isaiah 55:6-9)
The gracious invitation in Isaiah 55:1-5 is followed by an urgent call to seek the Lord: “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near" (Isaiah 55:6). This urgency emphasizes that the opportunity to receive God’s grace is not unlimited. There is a time to seek, a time to find. The wicked are exhorted to forsake their ways and return to the Lord, who promises to have compassion and abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:7).
The magnitude of God's forgiveness is emphasized by His own words: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). God's grace often defies human logic. We struggle to comprehend a love that extends to the undeserving, a forgiveness that wipes the slate clean. But God’s perspective transcends our limited understanding. We need the Holy Spirit to enable us to have a heavenly perspective; we need “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).
The Power and Certainty of God's Word (Isaiah 55:10-11)
These verses offer rich encouragement regarding the power of God’s Word. God’s Word is not empty or ineffective. Just as rain waters the earth and brings forth life, so God’s Word accomplishes its intended purpose (Isaiah 55:10). It will not return to Him void, but will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it (Isaiah 55:11).
Humans often make grand plans. They plot and scheme. Sometimes they succeed; often they fail. That’s because they lack the power to guarantee their plans. Power is the ability to effect change or produce a desired result, and God’s Word alone has that kind of guaranteed power. The unstoppable power of God’s Word to accomplish all of his purposes, in fact, sets it apart in a class by itself. God’s Word is always purposeful, and his purposes are always achieved. The Bible can be trusted. This provides immense comfort and assurance. We can trust in God's promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them.
A Transformed Creation (Isaiah 55:12-13)
The chapter concludes with a vision of transformation and joy: "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands" (Isaiah 55:12). This speaks of a restoration that extends beyond the individual to encompass all of creation. The curse of sin will be reversed, and the earth will flourish. The thornbush and brier, symbols of the fall, will be replaced by trees of beauty and fruitfulness (Isaiah 55:13). This transformation will be a lasting sign, "an everlasting sign, that will endure forever" (Isaiah 55:13), a testament to God's faithfulness and the power of His redemption.
Isaiah 55 paints a glorious picture of God's grace, His unwavering Word, and the ultimate restoration of all things. It is an invitation to experience true satisfaction, to embrace God's higher ways, and to participate in His transformative work in the world. It is a message of hope and joy for all who seek Him.