Isaiah 55:1-9 – God’s Invitation to Abundant Life
The prophets of Israel were remarkable individuals, often delivering messages that challenged and inspired. In today’s passage from Isaiah, the prophet mimics the cries of marketplace vendors: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters!” But Isaiah’s invitation is unique—unlike other vendors, he calls out, “You who have no money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” This extraordinary offer extends to those who couldn’t afford the basic necessities of life.
Isaiah 55 includes what scholars call the “Book of Comfort” (Isaiah 40-55), which was directed toward the exiled Israelites. Chapters 40-48 address the time of captivity in Babylon, while chapters 49-55 describe their return to Jerusalem during the early Restoration period, a time of hardship. Because despite the allowance of Cyrus and the Persian Empire for them to return, this was not a prosperous time in Jerusalem. The city had not been rebuilt since its destruction by the Babylonians, some fifty years earlier. Social and economic structures were weak, and there were struggles for the best land between the returnees and those who had been on the land in the meantime.
As Nehemiah later recorded, families struggled, borrowing to pay taxes, selling property, and even their children, into servitude.
This is what Nehemiah says, “Nehemiah 5:1-5 says, “Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews. 2 Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain. 3 Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine. 4 Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. … yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.” End of Jeremiah.
In such extreme conditions, Isaiah’s invitation to freely partake of bread, wine, and milk must have felt like a lifeline. Yet, this offer symbolized more than sustenance—it was God’s gift of life: abundant life through his mercy. Verse 3 declares, “Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live…” The God who freed them from Babylon now provided what they truly needed, fulfilling the promise he did through Moses: “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you…Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
However, despite God’s gracious provision, Israel’s people often strayed. Isaiah observes they were “seeking what does not satisfy”—investing in pursuits that distanced them from God. To this ungrateful people, Isaiah extends a powerful call: “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” He urges the wicked to abandon their ways, for God offers mercy and free pardon. Once again, we witness the vast grace of God—giving generously to those who have nothing to offer in return.
Why such mercy? Isaiah reveals the answer in verses 3: God’s faithfulness to His everlasting covenant with his servant David. “Give ear -God says- and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.” Through this covenant, first with David and later with Israel, the Lord extends hope not only to Israel but to nations yet unknown, for His purposes are universal and eternal, and His splendor endures.
This same invitation reaches us today: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters!” As Jesus journeyed to Jerusalem to take our place, His message echoed Isaiah’s when he said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Jesus is the Bread of Life offered by Isaiah. The gospel of John 6:35, Says, “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Jesus’ invitation continues being free because He paid the ultimate price with His life.
Peter reminds us: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24). This salvation—offered freely by God—is the ultimate proof of his grace: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith…not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
This morning, Jesus calls once again: “Come to me.” If life and all the challenges have made you weary, come and rest in His presence. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light Jesus said in Matthew 11:29-30. If you are weak, remember: “You can do all things through Him who gives you strength” (Philippians 4:13). If you need peace, trust that He Himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).
God, through Jesus, as he did before through his prophets, once again offers abundant life. Will you accept His invitation?