Isaiah 55 - Introduction

A Call to Individuals to embrace the coming Salvation

(i) Isaiah 55:1. A gracious invitation to the blessings of the new Covenant.

(1) Salvation freely offered to the thirsty. Addressing those who are engaged in the pursuit of earthly good, the prophet, in the name of Jehovah, promises them the complete satisfaction of their wants by accepting a share in the kingdom of God (Isaiah 55:1).

(2) On the condition of obedience Jehovah will make an everlasting Covenant with them, incorporating them in the Messianic community, in which the promises made to the house of David shall be realised (Isaiah 55:3).

(ii) Isaiah 55:6. This kingdom is at hand.

(1) The summons (Isaiah 55:1 ff.) is urgent, for Jehovah is near; now is the day of grace when He may be sought and found, and when even the wicked may obtain pardon through repentance (Isaiah 55:6).

(2) Jehovah is in truth near, although His thoughts and purposes are too exalted to be apprehended by the narrow and earth-bound vision of selfish men (Isaiah 55:8).

(3) Already the word has gone forth which is to renew the world and bring in the eternal redemption; it shall no more return empty than the rain and the snow return to heaven without having fertilized the earth (Isaiah 55:10).

(4) The prophet here reverts to an image frequent in the earlier discourses. The great deliverance is on the eve of being accomplished; the exiles shall go out (from Babylon) with joy, and the noble trees which spring up along their desert journey shall remain as an everlasting memorial of Jehovah's power (Isaiah 55:12).