Isaiah 55:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 55:6-13

We have here a further account of that covenant of grace which is made with us in Jesus Christ, both what is required and what is promised in the covenant, and of those considerations that are sufficient abundantly to confirm our believing compliance with and reliance on that covenant. This gracious discovery of God's good-will to the children of men is not to be confined either to the Jew or to the Gentile, to the Old Testament or to the New, much less to the captives in Babylon. No, both the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 55:8

For my thoughts are not your thoughts ,.... In some things there may be a likeness between the thoughts of God and the thoughts of men, as to the nature of them: thoughts are natural and essential to them both; they are within them, are internal acts, and unknown to others, till made known; but then the thoughts of men are finite and limited, whereas the thoughts of the Lord are infinite and boundless; men's thoughts have a beginning, but the Lord's have none; though not so much the nature... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:6-13

Exhortations and assurance. I. EXHORTATIONS . "Seek ye Jehovah." This is the beginning of a religious life—to seek for God, to inquire for his ways ( Deuteronomy 4:29 ; Job 5:8 ; Job 8:5 ; Psalms 9:10 ; Psalms 14:2 ; Psalms 27:8 ). "While he may be found" ( Psalms 32:6 )—"in a time of finding." For a bitter "day" will come, when woe to his foes ( Isaiah 65:6 , Isaiah 65:7 )! It is hinted that a time will come when the offer will be withdrawn. "If a man will not do so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:8-9

My thoughts are not your thoughts . Though man is made in God's image ( Genesis 1:27 ), yet the nature of God in every way infinitely transcends that of man. Both the thoughts and the acts of God surpass man's understanding. Men find it hard to pardon those who have offended them; God can pardon, and "pardon abundantly.'' Men cannot conceive of coming changes, when they pass certain limits. God knows assuredly what changes are approaching, since they are his doing. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:8-9

The human and the Divine. Man was made in the image of God, and once bore his likeness; then his spirit was like that of the Spirit of God. Under the debasing influences of sin he has become utterly unlike his Maker, and, instead of being compared with him, he is placed in sad and painful contrast with his heavenly Father. "My thoughts are not your thoughts," etc. I. THE SPIRIT OF THE HUMAN . 1 . The spirit of man is selfish. Not that he is incapable of generosity, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:8-9

God is like yet unlike man. We are made in his image. We are called to be "perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect." The hope of the future is that we "shall be like him." And yet we must keep up the conviction that we are but faint copies of him, and be is altogether better than we, the Infinite that is ever high above us, at once our inspiration and our despair. Apply God's unlikeness to us especially in the matter of redemption. I. GOD CAN FORGIVE . This man finds it hard to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 55:8-13

A FRESH ASSURANCE or DELIVERANCE FROM BABYLON . Man can scarcely conceive of the deliverance which God designs; but God's thoughts are not as man's ( Isaiah 55:8 , Isaiah 55:9 ). God's word, once pronounced, is potent to effect its purpose ( Isaiah 55:10 , Isaiah 55:11 ). Deliverance from Babylon, having been promised, will take place, and will be accompanied by all manner of spiritual blessings ( Isaiah 55:12 , Isaiah 55:13 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 55:8

For my thoughts are not your thoughts - Interpreters have differed in regard to the connection of this verse with the preceding. It is evident, I think, that it is properly connected with the subject of pardon; and the sense must be, that the plans and purposes of God in regard to forgiveness are as far above those of people as the heavens are higher than the earth, Isaiah 55:9. But in what respects his plan of pardon differs from those of people, the prophet does not intimate, and can be... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 55:8

Isaiah 55:8. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, &c. My disposition and way differ vastly from yours. If any man injure you, especially if he do it greatly and frequently, you are slow and backward to forgive him. But I am ready to forgive all true penitents, how many, and great, and numberless soever their sins be; and my promises of mercy and pardon shall be infallibly made good to them: and therefore you need not fear to come to me, or question but you shall find mercy and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 55:1-13

God’s free provision (55:1-13)Many of the Jews had made life reasonably tolerable for themselves in Babylon. The prophet knew that they were so settled that they might not want to uproot themselves and face the hardships of life back in their desolated homeland. Many were more concerned with making life easier for themselves than with knowing God and looking to him for their provision. God warns against this self-centred attitude and invites them to trust fully in him. The blessings he gives... read more

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