54:1–55:13
This is an invitation to participate in the restoration to God’s favor made possible through the ministry of the promised servant.
Study notes
Isaiah 55
54:1–66:24 Section
The last chapters in Isaiah described what would happen to people who did things God hated. God hated it when his people only acted as if they worshipped and obeyed him. But what they actually did was commit murder. They told lies and treated needy people badly. God hated it when people made evil plans and worshipped false gods. God longed for his people to stop sinning and to obey him. God described his longing like holding out his hands to welcome a stubborn nation.
God promised to bring judgement against his people for their sins. They would suffer and would be put to shame. He also invited them to change so that they could live. He described this like buying food and drink from him at a market. But God gave the food and drink for free. That showed how deeply God wanted them to turn back to him and be forgiven.
The last chapters in Isaiah also described what would happen to people who obeyed God. People who obeyed were humble, trusted God and wanted to be taught by him. They would be blessed and would be welcome in God’s house. That was another name for the temple. God promised to live with anyone who turns away from their sins. This promise applied to people from Jacob’s family line, to outsiders and to people from all nations. They would possess God’s holy mountain of Zion. This meant that they could live in the land where God ruled as King.
God described the light and brightness and new day of Jerusalem. He was talking about something more than the time when people returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. God described a completely new work that he would do. He would create new heavens and a new earth. In the new heavens and new earth, everyone would honour God. This was described as people from all over the world coming to Jerusalem. They would worship God there. This Jerusalem that God described would be full of joy. There would be no more crying. No one would cause harm or destroy anything or anyone. Everyone would do what was right and fair. God would do this new work when it was the right time.
Many years later Jesus said that God was starting that new work through him. Jesus used the words of Isaiah 61:1–2 to describe the work he was doing on earth (Luke 4:14–21). In Revelation, John also described the new heavens and new earth. The city where God ruled for ever as King was called the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1–5).
55:1
thirsty … wine and milk: The invitation to eat and drink is like Wisdom’s call in Proverbs 9:5. This image promises to quench thirst not only with water but also with more expensive items like wine and milk.
John applied a similar theme to Jesus Christ (John 4:14; 6:27, 35; 7:37; Revelation 21:6; 22:17).
without cost: Reconciliation with God is for anyone and has no cost.
55:1–13
This final chapter of the prophecies of comfort (Isaiah 40–55) summarizes the section’s main themes:
Blessing
Covenant
Witness
Word
Nations
Glory
Forgiveness
Joy
55:2
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good: Responding positively to God satisfies one’s spiritual, social, and physical being (see 1:19; 58:13–14; Proverbs 4:10).
55:3
come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live: Those who obey God's word find eternal life (see also Isaiah 55:11).
an everlasting covenant … promised to David: God gave King David a special promise to preserve his royal line (see 2 Samuel 7:15–16). God promised that David’s family line would continue forever. This promise is fulfilled in the kingship of the Messiah (God’s chosen king), Jesus Christ (see Isaiah 9:6–7; 11:1–16; Acts 2:22–36; 13:34).
55:6
while He is near: When God kindly offers an invitation to salvation, people must respond (Isaiah 65:1; Jeremiah 29:13–14; Hosea 5:6; 10:12). Those who do not seek him during these times may never have another chance.
55:6–9
The prophet calls for a response while the time is right.
55:7
Let the wicked man forsake his way and … return to the LORD: True conversion means changing how we live to follow God's rules (see Isaiah 1:16–17; 30:15; 59:20).
have compassion: God's compassion reaches those in need, wherever they are.
He will freely pardon: Forgiveness of sin is key to the good news of redemption (see Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; see also Psalms 32:1; 86:5; 99:8; 103:2–5).
55:8–9
My thoughts are not your thoughts: God's plans are wonderful (Psalm 92:5; compare Psalm 94:11). God's creations, including humans, cannot fully understand the Creator's thoughts. However, his messengers reveal insights and knowledge about some of his actions.
55:10–11
The Creator sends rain, snow, and his word (Hebrew dabar). Here, dabar means his will or plan (see Isaiah 14:24; 40:8). God's written word expresses his plan and achieves his goals. God is successful in all his actions (see Isaiah 14:26–27; 46:10).
55:12
Joy is found in being redeemed from bondage.
Godly people experience an inner peace not known to the wicked (Isaiah 48:22).
mountains and hills … trees of the field: Creation participates in the freedom of the children of God (Isaiah 44:23; 49:11, 13; see Romans 8:19–23).
55:12–13
The prophet tells the people not to focus on the past. He urges them to leave Babylon and return home.
He also calls them to see things from the viewpoint of the coming age (the new time of salvation that God is about to bring).
55:13
Redemption is like the transformation from desert to forest (see also Isaiah 35:1; 41:19; 60:13).
this will make a name for the LORD: God's glory will become increasingly visible to people as his redemption takes effect.
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources