Isaiah 55:1-3

Invitation to the Thirsty

1 “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.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.

Isaiah 55:1-3 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 13

  • 1. S Proverbs 9:5; S Isaiah 35:7; Matthew 5:6; Luke 6:21; John 4:14; John 7:37
  • 2. Jeremiah 2:13; Ezekiel 47:1,12; Zechariah 14:8
  • 3. Lamentations 5:4; Matthew 13:44; Revelation 3:18
  • 4. S Song of Songs 5:1; 1 Peter 2:2
  • 5. Hosea 14:4; Matthew 10:8; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:17
  • 6. Psalms 22:26; Ecclesiastes 6:2; Isaiah 49:4; Jeremiah 12:13; Hosea 4:10; Hosea 8:7; Micah 6:14; Haggai 1:6
  • 7. S Isaiah 1:19
  • 8. S Isaiah 30:23
  • 9. S Psalms 78:1
  • 10. S Leviticus 18:5; S John 6:27; Romans 10:5
  • 11. S Genesis 9:16; S Isaiah 54:10; S Hebrews 13:20; Isaiah 61:8
  • 12. S Isaiah 54:8
  • 13. Acts 13:34*
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