Isaiah 55

Christ inviteth all wounded and dejected spirits to the enjoyment of his benefits and favours, ver.1. God the father declareth for what end and purpose he sent Christ, 4. Namely to all the Gentiles, 5. What the duty of all converts is, 6. God promiseth that he will give them his grace and blessing in a plentiful manner, 10. To the joy and rejoicing of all creatures 12.

1. O [The Hebrew particle hoi, which elsewhere is as much as wo, is here a word of excitement or stirring up] all the thirsty, [all ye that greatly long after righteousness, being sensible of your own sins and miseries, Psal.42.3. Mat.5.6. Joh.7.37.] come o the waters, [that is, unto me, or to the heavenly goods which I offer unto you by the Gospel, namely forgiveness of sins and righteousness, which are given us of God in Christ for nought, and without any merits or deserts of our own, as followeth in the text: also the gifts of the holy ghost, and lastly life eternal, whereunto we must come by faith, Joh.7.37.] and he that hath no money; [that is, ye that in or of yourselves have no worthiness or merits] come buy, and eat, [that is enjoy. So likewise verse 2 eating for enjoying is very usual and common among the Hebrews. See Job chap.2 1. The Annotations on ver.25.] yea come, buy wine and milk [wine and milk signify here the same which was intimated even now by water, to wit, all things requisite and necessary for the spiritual life] without money and without price, [that is, receive them for nothing.]

2. Wherefore do ye weigh out money for that which is not bread, etc. your labour for which cannot satisfy? [That is, wherefore are ye at great costs and charges in vain, and take pains and toil to no purpose in committing your Idolatry and superstition, whereas indeed by such kind of means no life nor sound comfort is to be had? Wherefore do ye weigh out money for that which is no bread? Heb. For not bread. So he calleth false doctrine and superstition, which cannot seed or satisfy the hearts of men; as for example, the doctrine of the Scribes and Pharisees concerning a mans own righteousness without Christ and his righteousness. (and your labour) that is, that which ye have gotten and gained by your labour. (for that which cannot satisfy) Heb. Not to satisfy] hearken attentively unto me [Heb. Hearken hearkening, etc. that is, hearken attentively, diligently, or earnestly unto me] and eat that which is good [This is also to be understood of a spiritual eating, as also that which followeth] and let thy soul delight in fatness.

3. Incline your ear and come unto me, [God the father speaketh this] hear and your soul shall live: [that is, it shall have comfort and joy when it heareth me] for I will make an everlasting covenant with thee, [See Gen.15.on ver.18. and Jerem.34.18,19.] (and give thee,) the sure mercies of David, [these words of Paul, Acts 13:34. where it is said thus, I will give you those holy and faithful (promises) of David (the sure mercies of David) that is, the mercies which I have promised unto David. See 2 Sam.7.13. and Psal.89.29. For the accomplishing of these mercies, it was requisite and needful that Christ should rise from the dead, and so enter into his everlasting kingdom: for which end the Apostles rehearseth this passage of the Prophet, Acts 13:34. to prove the resurrection of Christ. Some understand here by David the Lord Christ; so that by the mercies which Christ should purchase for and give unto the people of God. So likewise Jerem.30.9. Ezek.34.29, etc.]

4. Behold I [To wit, God the father] have given him [to wit, Christ, the son of David, who was also David’s Lord and redeemer] (for) a witness of the nations, [that is, for a Prophet and Teachers that should witness the heavenly truth, or that should give testimony concerning my will] a prince and commander [to command and enjoin whatsoever he pleaseth] of the nations.

5. Behold, thou [O Jesus Christ] shalt call a people that thou knowest not [that is, for whom thou didst not care, but didst suffer them to walk in their own ways. See Acts 14:16. or whom thou dist not know and take to be thy people] and the people that knew not thee, [Heb. A people or nation that knew (in the plural number) thee not; that is, that cared not for thee, nor acknowledged thee for their Saviour] shall run unto thee, [that is, receive and embrace thy doctrine with great zeal and desire] for the LORD thy Gods sake, and for the holy One of Israels sake [or, and unto the holy One of Israel. See Psal.71.on ver.22.] for he hath glorified thee. [or when he shall glorify thee, O Christ; namely by the resurrection from the dead, Rom.1.4. and by the exaltation on his right hand in the heavens, from whence he should send the holy Ghost upon the Apostles, Acts 3:3. and 4.10.]

6. Seek the LORD while he is to be found: call upon him while he is near. [That is, while he offereth his mercy unto poor sinners, calling and inverting them to repentance and conversion. See Psal.32.6. they are the words of the Prophet]

7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man [Heb. The man of wickedness, or of iniquity] his thoughts: and let him turn unto the LORD, then will he have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he pardoneth abundantly. Heb. He increaseth to pardon, or with pardoning.]

8. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. [Here God speaketh again, and it is as much as if he had said, ye men are of such a nature and disposition that ye will not easily forgive and forget when any one offendeth you, especially when he exceedeth therein: but I do soon forgive all those that are forty that they have offended me, and pray unto me for pardon and forgiveness. Neither am I wavering or unfaithful as men are, but whatsoever I promise I do surely perform.]

9. For (as) [Or (as much as) the heavens are higher then the earth, so are my thoughts higher then your thoughts, and my ways then your ways. [Compare herewith Psal.103.vers.11.]

10. For as the rain and the snow cometh down from heaven, and returneth not thither; but it moisteneth thereby, [to wit, the earth] and causeth it to bring forth and bud, to give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

11. So shall (also) my word be [That is, the word of my promise] that goeth forth out of my mouth, it shall not return unto me empty: [That is, without doing something] but it shall do that which pleaseth me, and it shall be prosperous [or have good success, prosper (in) that whereto [or for which, or whither] I send it.

12. For ye shall go out [To wit, out of the spiritual captivity of the Devil, after ye shall be redeemed by Christ, whereof the Babylonian captivity was type] with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and hills shall make a sound (with) joyful singing, before thy face, and all the trees of the field shall clap (their) hands together. See Isa.35.1. 1 Chron.16.33. The meaning is, that all creatures, though they be insensible, yet they shall help to advance and further the work of God with joy. See the Annotat.Psal.93 on verse 8.]

13. For a thorn (there) shall come up a fir-tree; for a thistle (there) shall come up a myrtle-tree: [That is, they that were formerly like briers and thorns, that is unfruitful and unfit for any good work, they shall become fruitful, and grow up like fair and goodly trees, after they shall be renewed and born again by the holy Ghost. See the like phrases above chap.41.19.] and it shall be to the LORD for a name, and for an everlasting token, [to wit a memorial] (that) shall not be cut off. [the meaning is, by the redemption and sanctification of the Church, God will especially manifest his goodness and omnipotence, for which he shall be praised and magnified forever.]