Seek ye the Lord while he may be found - Rab. David Kimchi gives the true sense of this passage: "Seek ye the Lord, because he may be found: call upon him, because he is near. Repent before ye die, for after death there is no conversion of the soul." read more
Ho, every one that thirsteth! Though the mass are gross and carnally minded, there will ever be some who have higher aspirations—who hunger and thirst after righteousness" ( Matthew 5:6 ), and desire spiritual blessings. These are invited, first of all, to come and partake of the good things provided for them in Messiah's kingdom . Come ye to the waters (on the spiritual symbolism of water, see the homiletics on Isaiah 44:3 , Isaiah 44:4 ). Here the "peace" and "righteousness" of the... read more
The soul's thirst satisfied. "Ho, every one that thirsteth!" This is a Divine invitation, and as such shows us the nature of God , which is in itself a healing and a satisfying nature, finding expression in the incarnation and redemption of our Lord Jesus Christ. I. THE AWAKENING SOUL . "Thirsteth." When the soul is quickened and feels new life, then is consciousness of need—need of God. New thirsts are sometimes awakened in human nature—thirsts for love and friendship; and... read more
The provision which cannot be purchased. In a country like our own we hardly know what thirst means. Few Englishmen have suffered from intense thirst. A man must live or travel in other latitudes to be exposed to this evil. But judging from the accounts of those who have suffered, we conclude that it is almost, if not absolutely, the severest and most intolerable sensation to which "flesh is heir." It may very well be taken as a picture of— I. THE UNSATISFIED CRAVING OF THE ... read more
Man's need and God's provision. This well-known and much-used verse is the model of gospel invitations. "Ho!" as to persons at a distance; beyond the pale, according to Jewish thought. "Wine," that cheers; "water," that refreshes; "milk," that nourishes. "Buy without money" impresses the worth , as well as the freeness, of the thing obtained. I. THE CRY OF SOULS IS SO VARIED , THEY NEED LARGE AND COMPREHENSIVE INVITATIONS . So various, so large, so intense,... read more
The thirst of the soul quenched. Compare the assurances and invitations of Christ, in John 4:13 , John 4:14 ; John 6:35 ; John 7:37 , John 7:38 . It is singular to note that the prophet chose a form of speech very common in the East. In Jerusalem the shopkeepers cry to the passers-by, "Ho, every one that hath money, let him come and buy!" "Ho, such a one, come and buy!" They indeed expect to get full value, though they offer for nothing. God intends a free and sovereign gift. I.... read more
The Messianic blessings. I. THE INVITATION . "Ho!" A cry arousing attention ( Isaiah 1:4 ) or expressing pity ( Isaiah 17:12 ). 1 . It is addressed to thirsty ones. The figure occurs in Isaiah 44:3 also. What more powerful figure can there be for desire , and for the pain of unsatisfied desire ? It is especially Oriental. It brings up the image of the hot, sandy waste, and by contrast that of the cool, bubbling fountain. Hunger and thirst are the "eldest of the... read more
AN EXHORTATION TO SPIRITUALITY AND REPENTANCE . The prophet passes from the ideal to the actual, from the glorious future to the unsatisfactory present. The people are not ripe for the blessings of the Messianic kingdom—they do not sufficiently value them. Hence a tender exhortation is addressed to them by God himself, inviting them to become more spiritually minded ( Isaiah 55:1-3 ), and fresh promises are held out to the obedient ( Isaiah 55:3-5 ). The disobedient are... read more
Wherefore do ye spend money? literally, wherefore do ye weigh silver?- silver being the ordinary currency, and money transactions, in default of a coinage, being by weight (cf. Genesis 23:16 ; Zechariah 11:12 ). For that which is not bread ; i.e. "for that which has no real value—which cannot sustain you, which will do you no good." The affections of the great mass of the Israelites were set on worldly things, on enriching themselves—adding field to field, and house to house ( ... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 55:3
I will make an everlasting covenant - Hebrews עולם ברית לכם אכרתה echrethah lachem berith olam , "I will cut the old or everlasting covenant sacrifice with you." That covenant sacrifice which was pointed out of old from the very beginning; and which is to last to the consummation of ages; viz., the Lamb of God that was slain from the foundation of the world. The sure mercies of David - That is, says Kimchi, "The Messiah," called here David; as it is written, "David my servant shall... read more