Chapter 55

1 The prophet, with the promises of Christ, calleth to faith, 6 and to repentance. 8 The happy success of them that believe.

1. Every one that thirsteth. That is, those who thirst for a better understanding of the will and ways of God, and for grace to be at peace with Him (Ps. 42:1, 2; 63:1; Matt. 5:6; John 7:37; Rev. 21:6; 22:17). Man was created with an inner longing for God that finds lasting satisfaction only in fellowship with Him.

The poetic beauty of this chapter is unsurpassed in Scripture. No more gracious invitation could be given for men to accept the blessings of salvation. None are excluded—“whosoever will” may come and “take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17). There is no room here for the idea that some men are created to be subjects of salvation and others of reprobation, some to be saved and others to be lost. God does not interfere with the free exercise of man’s power of choice (see Eze. 18:31, 32; 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9). In this chapter emphasis is placed on the ingathering of the Gentiles and on the success of God’s eternal plan to restore the earth to its original state of purity and perfection (see Isa. 55:5, 8–11; see pp. 28–30).

Come ye to the waters. God invites all men everywhere to partake freely of His grace. Water, wine, milk, and bread (v. 2) here represent all spiritual blessings (see Matt. 26:27–29; John 4:10, 13, 14; 1 Cor. 11:25–27; 1 Peter 2:2).

Hath no money. In the figurative language here used the person without “money” is the one who realizes his spiritual need (see on >Matt. 5:3). He is well aware that he has no merits of his own to offer to God as a price for the precious gift of salvation. But God invites all such to come in spite of their spiritual poverty. The price of their salvation has been paid by the Saviour.

Come, buy. Those who desire spiritual blessings must not only “hunger” and “thirst” for them, but also put forth effort to secure them (see on Matt. 13:44–46). The blessings of salvation are free, yet they may be obtained only at the cost of all that a man has. God has never promised to bestow salvation upon those who are indifferent to it or unwilling to put forth the effort to obtain it.

Wine and milk. The blessings of salvation are here represented by products which, in the ancient Orient, were considered representative of all the good things of life. The sinner’s every need will be supplied in Christ Jesus.

2. Spend money. This is a reproof to men for spending time, effort, and money on things of little or no value while neglecting the more important things of life (see on John 6:27).

Satisfieth not. Those who do not partake of the spiritual bounties God has so freely provided will suffer from spiritual anemia and be dimly aware of a hidden hunger in their souls which the material things of earth can never satisfy.

Soul delight itself. God encourages men to place their primary interest in spiritual rather than material things (see on Matt. 6:24–34; cf. Matt. 23:23). Those who make first things first will discover that their material needs are satisfied more easily and more abundantly.

Fatness. A common Hebrew expression denoting abundance and prosperity—here, spiritual prosperity (see Gen. 27:28, 39; 45:18; etc.).

3. Incline your ear. That is, be attentive to spiritual things. Be ready to listen to what God may say to you (see on ch. 30:21). Be willing to know and to do the things He makes known to you.

Your soul shall live. That is, “you will live” (see on Ps. 16:10). None but those who respond to the appeal of vs. 1–3 and partake of Heaven’s bounties ever truly “enter into life” (Matt. 19:17). Only in Christ can men ever “have life” and “have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

An everlasting covenant. All—Jew and Gentile alike (see Gal. 3:29; see on Isa. 55:1)—are invited to make the covenant relationship a reality in their own personal experience. This refers to the “new” covenant, under which God promises to write His law within men’s hearts (see on Jer. 31:31–34; Heb. 8:10, 11). This covenant embraces all the promises made to the fathers (Gen. 12:1–3; 17:7, 8; Ps. 89:3, 4, 28, 29, 36, 37; 105:8–12; see also pp. 26, 27).

Sure mercies of David. See p. 31. David was a great sinner. But when his sins were pointed out he repented sincerely and completely (see on Ps. 51), and accordingly became the recipient of divine mercy. This mercy is as “sure” for us today as it was for David.

4. I have given him. That is, David (v. 3), who was a type of Christ and upon whose throne Christ was to sit (Ps. 89:3, 4, 20, 35–37; Eze. 34:23, 24; Hosea 3:5; see on Deut. 18:15; Matt. 1:1). For the selection of David as an example of the experience of one who enters fully into the privileges and responsibilities of the covenant relationship, see p. 31.

A leader. Heb. nagid, “chief,” “leader,” “captain,” “ruler,” “prince” (see 1 Sam. 10:1; 13:14; 1 Kings 1:35; 1 Chron. 5:2; 28:4; Dan. 9:25).

5. A nation. This refers to the Gentiles (Ps. 18:43; Gal. 2:9; Eph. 2:19; 1 Peter 2:9, 10). The Jews were the only people whom God had “known of all the families of the earth” (Amos 3:2). The Jews often referred to Gentiles as “strangers” (see Isa. 56:6).

Run unto thee. See pp. 28–30.

He hath glorified thee. For all that God purposed to do for Israel, see pp. 26–28.

6. Seek ye the Lord. Here was where Israel had failed, and the reason for her exile—she had not sought to know or to obey the will of God (see ch. 6:9–12). Again and again God had invited Israel to seek Him (see Deut. 4:29; Ps. 105:4–6; Jer. 29:13, 14; etc.). Throughout the ages God has extended similar exhortations to His church (2 Cor. 6:2; Rev. 22:17).

While he is near. God was in a special sense “near” to His people Israel (Deut. 4:7; Ps. 148:14), but He is also “near” to all who call upon Him (Ps. 46:1; 145:18). The time comes, however, when stubborn rejection of the pleadings of God’s Spirit closes the door of mercy and drives the divine presence away (Isa. 1:15; Hosea 5:6; Matt. 25:10–12; cf. John 7:34; 8:21).

7. Let the wicked. How often, through His messengers, God pleads with men to abandon their lives of sin and promises them pardon (Isa. 1:16–19; Jer. 7:3–7; Eze. 18:23, 30–32; Matt. 11:28, 29; Luke 24:47; Acts 3:19; 13:38).

8. My thoughts. How little man comprehends of the boundless goodness and mercy of God, and of His infinite purpose for every person saved by divine grace! Too often man’s thoughts are tinged with bitterness and estrangement; yet God’s are always of tender mercy and forgiving grace (Ex. 34:6, 7; Ps. 103:8–14; Jer. 29:11–13).

9. Higher than the earth. Man’s thoughts are of time, and God’s, of eternity. Man’s thoughts are of self, and God’s, of the creatures of His hand. Man thinks of what he can get, and God, of what He can give.

10. As the rain. The forces of nature are obedient to Him who created them. Rain serves Him by refreshing the earth and enabling it to bring forth verdure, fragrance, beauty, and food for the joy and well-being of man.

Returneth. Rain is a gift of God to man. It remains here to accomplish the beneficent purpose for which it was sent. That purpose accomplished, it returns to heaven as vapor, ready to be sent forth again. Thus it is with all things ordained of God, whether in the realm of the material or of the spiritual.

11. My word. The words of God represent His will and are endowed with power to make that will effective. They have power to create (Gen. 1:3; Ps. 33:6, 9), to impart spiritual energy, life, and blessing (Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:4; Rev. 1:3), to judge and to condemn (Heb. 4:12; Rev. 19:15), to raise men from the grave (Job 14:14, 15; John 11:43, 44; 1 Thess. 4:16), and to heal and redeem (Matt. 9:2, 6; Mark 2:5, 9–12; John 5:24; 6:63).

That which I please. As with the rain and the snow (v. 10), so with the “word”—all accomplish the beneficent purpose that gave them being. Thus it was also with Christ, the living Word (John 1:1), in whose hands “the pleasure of the Lord” was to “prosper” (see on Isa. 53:10).

12. Ye shall go out. The accomplishment of the Lord’s will (v. 11) brings joy. Verses 12, 13 picture the people of God going out to the world on their mission to bring life and healing. They go forth as sowers, scattering everywhere the words of divine life. Nature breaking forth into happy anthems of praise here represents the joy that fills the hearts of men when they learn of God’s love and will for them.

13. Instead of the thorn. Isaiah here repeats a favorite figure—the transformation of the world from a barren wilderness into a flourishing garden (Isa. 35:1, 2, 6; 41:18, 19; 43:19; 44:3; etc.; cf. Eze. 47:1–12). In the Bible righteous men are often compared to fruitful trees (Ps. 1:3; Luke 6:44, 45), and the wicked to briers and thorns (Isa. 9:18). The power of God can and will transform the face of the earth, causing gardens of delight and beauty to spring up in place of arid, burning deserts. Virtue and holiness take the place of vice and wickedness, and joy and peace take the place of fear and trouble.

Ellen G. White comments

1    CH 211; COL 235; MB 18; PP 413; SC 49; 9T 228

1–3COL 233

1–5PK 696

1–7TM 415

1–13TM 357

2     COL 201; CS 243; CT 12; Ev 266; FE 471; MH 441; ML 132, 157; 2T 575; 3T 250; 6T 83, 165; 8T 307

3     FE 478; PK 320

3–5AA 223

6     2T 291; 5T 529, 590; 8T 253

6, 7 PK 319; TM 343; 5T 540, 629; 8T 99

6–11TM 358

7     COL 205; MYP 70; PK 84; PP 726; SC 53

7–9MB 114; 5T 337

8     TM 503; 2 T 633; 3T 201, 244

8, 9 COL 397; GC 343; 5T 698; 8T 146, 235

8–136T 308

10   COL 67

10–13MH 406

11   COL 65; Ed 105; FE 472; GW 267; 1T 261; 4T 537; 6T 131

13        DA 305; GC 675; PK 729