Isaiah 55:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 55:1-5

Here, I. We are all invited to come and take the benefit of that provision which the grace of God has made for poor souls in the new covenant, of that which is the heritage of the servants of the Lord (Isa. 54:17), and not only their heritage hereafter, but their cup now, Isa. 55:1. Observe, 1. Who are invited: Ho, every one. Not the Jews only, to whom first the word of salvation was sent, but the Gentiles, the poor and the maimed, the halt and the blind, are called to this marriage supper,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 55:1

Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters ,.... These are the words not of the prophet, but of the Lord, as what follows throughout the chapter shows; and are directed to the Gentiles, as Aben Ezra thinks: and indeed their conversion is manifestly spoken of in it; and who, Kimchi says, after the war of Gog and Magog, shall know that the Lord reigns, and shall come and be desirous of learning his judgments and laws. The word "ho" is expressive of calling, as the Jewish commentators... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 55:1

Ho, every one that thirsteth - "Water," says Zimchi, "is a metaphor for the law and wisdom: as the world cannot subsist without water, so it is impossible that it can subsist without wisdom. The law is also compared to wine and milk: to wine because wine rejoiceth the heart, as it is written: 'The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart,' Psalm 19:8 . It is compared also to milk, because milk is the subsistence of the child; so are the words of the law the nourishment of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:1

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:1

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:1

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:1

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:1

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:1-5

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:1-7

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

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