Isaiah 55 THE INVITATION The prophetic message of salvation begun in earlier chapters, continues in this chapter. Salvation is made possible for “everyone,” as the writer calls for people to give attention to what he has to say. The Suffering Servant and His work described in chapter 53 has opened the door of salvation to everyone who is thirsty. The Sinless Servant of Jehovah was offered as our substitute and made full payment for sin by His death on the cross. Whoever puts their personal trust in Him by faith, is cleansed from their sin, and justified before the Holy Righteous God. He saves all who come to Him by faith. Such is the greatness fullness of His grace.
Isaiah calls upon those who “hunger and thirst” after righteousness before God, to take the water of eternal life that God freely offers. The “wine” of the Gospel message brings cheer and hope to the soul, and stirs it to act in faith. The “milk” of the word of God gives the spiritual nourishment needed to grow in faith and be strengthened by the power of God. There is nothing else that can bring real satisfaction to the spiritually hungry soul. Anything the world offers is like the “husks that the swine do eat.” The “food” offered by the things of earth have costs associated with them as well. Also, they only meet the physical and emotional needs temporarily. Even worldly religion only offers the “quick- fix” of an emotional high that is gone as soon as the music stops and the entertaining features of a church service are over. Then there is usually the announcement to people to “give what they can to meet the needs of this ministry.”
“The waters” referred to in the first verse are offered openly to any thirsty soul. They provide satisfaction freely for the one that comes and partakes of that which God offers. That action is personal and available without any strings attached in contrast to the dissatisfaction that has a cost attached to it that we read of in the second verse. The blessings of God are free and to all when they take steps to harken, make their own what is offered, and take delight in what God gives. When a person is deliberately inclined to listen to the voice of the Lord and will come to Him by faith; they will truly live. That makes the covenant of salvation real to us and the blessings promised to a believer are all available to us.
The free nourishment from God is ours when we come to Him and then listen to His word. It is our responsibility to personally seek the Lord and call upon Him now. The person who is eager for food for their soul, will find it there and then. When God makes covenant promises, they are like “sure mercies” similar to those He granted to David. They do not fail nor does He forget to give them. To call on the Lord while He is near, indicates a time will come when He is not near. The sins of neglect, procrastination, ignoring or rejecting the Lord, may make a person too late to be able to receive anything from Him.
To believe God can save a sinner who has gone far away from him, or can save a nation like Israel that has rejected Him for so long, takes a significant amount of faith on our part. But really, all God expects of a person is to seek Him with all their heart and call upon Him in trusting faith, and He will be found. Honesty and sincerity are expected of a seeking sinner. One has said, “A seeking sinner and a seeking Savior, always meet.” This is not just some nod of the head in acknowledgement of the existence of God. Nor does it happen because a person will genuflect in front of a cross. Nor is it some words repeated in a prayer that is not from the heart of a contrite sinner. To think we can reduce the actions and response of an infinite God to our limited thoughts is foolishness, and is a demeaning act of a mere mortal person who has no idea of how holy God is.
“The wicked” have been witnessed to by the One in authority in verse four, and the testimony of Israel in verse five goes out to all the world through the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. People wherever and whoever they are, will be accepted when they seek the Lord with their heart, call upon Him in faith after repentance and forsaking of their sin is an actual fact. That is when each person who calls and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior will find mercy and pardon.
Heaven and earth were called upon at the beginning of the book of Isaiah to witness to the rebellion of the people of Israel and Judah. They were called upon in the same way in the time of Moses to witness to the acts of God on behalf of His people. In this chapter, the mountains and hills, the trees and the fields are sharing in the joy of Israel’s restoration and salvation. The exiles from Babylon went out with joy and peace from captivity. When Messiah comes and reigns, joy and peace will break out all over the world.
“The word” is the main point of verses 8-13 as the word of God is sent out to prosper in the ways God intends. God’s thoughts and ways are definitely different than those of human beings. We are limited to what we take in through our senses. The word of God from above has a purpose behind it as it waters the thoughts of human minds; then nurtures those into actions of one kind or another. So, we learn of Him, praise Him and worship Him all the while we are able to serve Him acceptably with respect and honor for Him. God’s word is not wasted and it fulfills the purpose for which He gives it. Such is the power and benefit of the word of God, that it continues to be useful as we assimilate its truths into our soul and spirit. The results of the word of God being real to us is that it brings joy to ourselves and peace to others.
All of the creation of God will again function as God intends. Creation will be restored, and humanity will identify the Lord as the Source of every good and perfect gift. The glory of the mountains will cause songs of praise to be raised to the glory of God the Creator. The fertility of the earth will be released and the plenty that comes from its fullness will be a testimony for all to see as a sign of God’s greatness, mercy and forgiveness. Never will the deliverance the
Lord brought be forgotten. Such assurance will be to all the world as an everlasting sign as we all receive all that could ever be needed. The “You shall give Him glory; and I shall give Him glory; we all shall give Him glory; for glory is His due.”
Isaiah 55:4, 12. “Behold, I have given Him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people…And ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and the trees of the fields shall clap their hands.” MOUNTAINS AND HILLS. What is that I hear? The sound of “going” in the trees – As He who is our Leader and Commander moves Leaving evidence of His passing in music. From high places when men’s faces are lifted To look up and see the stable mountains and hills Responding to my joy and the peace in my soul – They are singing before me as a choir in full voice. Coming back to me from them are my own words Of praise and glory as I worship my Leader. My Commander who has “all power” moves His baton And the music and praise flows back and forth – From me to them and them to me –acapella Harmonious blends of sights and sounds – The audience of trees: small ones and full grown – Anything of nature that moves is moved – By words and actions to honor their Creator – My Leader and Commander – the Supreme Witness to His people – and to me. What joy – what peace – what delights from Thy word, O God. It all fits together: the mountains and hills – The people who hear Thy Witness – and me, Who has tasted and seen that the Lord is good. I have come – I am here – I hear Thee, And the everlasting covenant of sure mercies – Is real to me.
“It seems to me O God, that I really do fit in the scheme of things that I see all around me – apart from the world, the flesh and the devil. Creation; the Lord’s people; prophecies – all that know the Lord as Leader and Commander, have all things in common because of Thee. I give honor and glory to Thee in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”