Isaiah 55

This chapter concludes the message of comfort and restoration that begins in chapter 40 of Isaiah. Following the Suffering Servant of chapter 53 and the promise of Zion's restoration in chapter 54, it ends with an invitation calling all people to God.

Structure

• Verses 1–5 All who thirst and all who have no money are invited to come freely, and God promises to make an everlasting covenant, "even the sure mercies of David." Nations once unknown will come running.
• Verses 6–7 The people are urged to seek the LORD while he may be found. If the wicked forsake their way and return, he will abundantly pardon.
• Verses 8–9 God's thoughts and ways are higher than human thoughts and ways, as the heavens are higher than the earth.
• Verses 10–11 Just as rain and snow water the earth and make it bear fruit, God's word will not return to him void.
• Verses 12–13 The people go out with joy, the mountains and trees break into song, and the fir tree comes up instead of the thorn.

Key Verses

• Isaiah 55:1 "Without money and without price" — expresses the invitation to unmerited grace.
• Isaiah 55:6 "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found" — verses 6–7 are a classic call to repentance.
• Isaiah 55:11 "It shall not return unto me void" — verses 10–11 are frequently cited regarding the power of God's word.

People and Places

• The LORD: the speaker in this chapter, called "the Holy One of Israel."
• David: does not appear directly, but the covenant given to him is mentioned (Davidic covenant).

Points for Reflection

• The "him" of verse 4 has been interpreted as David himself, as the Messiah who would come from David's line, or as a reference to the Davidic covenant being extended to the people as a whole.
• Verses 8–9 are often quoted to express the unsearchable nature of God's will, but in context they are connected to the "abundant pardon" of verse 7.
• In Acts 13:34, Paul quotes verse 3 in connection with the resurrection of Jesus. The invitation of verse 1 is compared with Revelation 22:17.
• Some scholars regard chapters 40–55 as the work of a different author from the exilic period, while the conservative tradition attributes them to Isaiah.