Isaiah 55:6-7

6 ¹Seek the LORD while He may be found; ²Call upon Him while He is near.

7 ³Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his ⁴thoughts; And let him ⁵return to the LORD, And He will have ⁶compassion on him, And to our God, For He will ⁷abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 55:6-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 55

As the two preceding chapters are prophecies of Christ and his church, this treats of his word and ordinances, and of the nature, use, and efficacy of them. It begins with an invitation of thirsty souls to them, Isa 55:1, an expostulation with them for taking wrong methods, and a dissuasive from them, Isa 55:2, which is followed with an exhortation to hear the word of Christ, attend on his ordinances; to which they are encouraged with promises of life and covenant blessings, Isa 55:2,3. Christ is prophesied of in his offices; and the conversion of the Gentiles to him is foretold, Isa 55:4,5, men are called upon to seek the Lord, where and while he might be found; and both wicked and unrighteous persons, forsaking their ways and thoughts, are encouraged to turn to the Lord, in hopes of pardon, and in consideration of his ways and thoughts not being like theirs, Isa 55:6-9, the nature and efficacy of the word of God are expressed and illustrated by the similes of rain and snow, Isa 55:10,11, and the conversion of the Lord's people, in consequence of the word being made effectual, is predicted, the issue of which is the glory of God, Isa 55:12,13.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 32:6; Isaiah 45:19, 22; Isaiah 49:8; Amos 5:6
• 2. Isaiah 58:9; Isaiah 65:24
• 3. Isaiah 1:16, 19; Isaiah 58:6
• 4. Isaiah 32:7; Isaiah 59:7
• 5. Isaiah 31:6; Isaiah 44:22
• 6. Isaiah 14:1; Isaiah 54:8, 10
• 7. Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 40:2; Isaiah 43:25; Isaiah 44:22