Matthew Henry Commentary Isaiah 55

All are welcome to the blessings of salvation, to whom those blessings are welcome. In Christ there is enough for all, and enough for each. Those satisfied with the world, who see no need of Christ, do not thirst. They are not uneasy about their souls: but where God gives grace, he gives a thirst for it; and where he has given a thirst for it, he will give it. Come to Christ, for he is the Fountain opened; he is the Rock smitten.

Come to holy ordinances, to the streams that make glad the city of our God. Come to the healing waters, come to the living waters (Revelation 22:17). Our Savior referred to this (John 7:37). Come, and buy; make it your own by applying the grace of the gospel to yourselves. Come, and eat; make it still more your own, and enjoy it. The world falls short of our expectations; we promise ourselves, at least, water in it, and we are disappointed; but Christ surpasses our expectations.

We come to him, and we find wine and milk. The gifts offered to us are such that no price can be set upon them. The things offered are already paid for; for Christ purchased them at the full price of his own blood (1 Peter 1:19). Our wants are beyond number, and we have nothing to supply them; if Christ and heaven are ours, we see ourselves forever indebted to free grace. Listen diligently; let the proud heart stoop; not only come, but accept God's offers.

All the wealth and pleasure in the world will not yield solid comfort and contentment to the soul. They do not satisfy even the appetites of the body; for all is vanity and vexation. Let the disappointments we meet with in the world help to drive us to Christ, and to seek for satisfaction in him only. Then, and not before, we shall find rest for our souls.

Hear, and your soul shall live. On what easy terms happiness is offered to us! By the sure mercies of David, we are to understand the Messiah. All his mercies are covenant mercies; they are purchased by him, they are promised in him, and from his hand they are dispensed to us. We do not know how to find the way to the waters, but Christ is given to be a Leader, a Commander, to show us what to do, and enable us to do it.

Our business is to obey him and follow him. And there is no coming to the Father but by him. He is the Holy One of Israel, true to his promises; and he has promised to glorify Christ, by giving him the heathen for his inheritance.

Here is a gracious offer of pardon, peace, and all happiness. It will not be in vain to seek God, now that His word is calling to us and His Spirit is striving with us. But a day is coming when He will not be found. Such a time may come in this life; it is certain that at death and judgment, the door will be shut.

There must be not only a change of the way but also a change of the mind. We must alter our judgments about persons and things. It is not enough to break off from evil practices; we must strive against evil thoughts. To repent is to return to our Lord, against whom we have rebelled.

If we do so, God will multiply pardon, as we have multiplied offenses. But let no one trifle with this plentiful mercy or use it as an occasion to sin. People's thoughts concerning sin, Christ, and holiness, concerning this world and the next, vastly differ from God's; but in nothing more than in the matter of pardon. We forgive and cannot forget; but when God forgives sin, He remembers it no more.

The power of His word in the kingdoms of providence and grace is as certain as in that of nature. Sacred truth produces a spiritual change in the minds of people, which neither rain nor snow can make on the earth. It shall not return to the Lord without producing important effects. If we take a special view of the church, we will find what great things God has done and will do for it.

The Jews will return to their own land; this will represent the blessings promised. Gospel grace will make a great change in people. Delivered from the wrath to come, the converted sinner finds peace in his conscience; and love compels him to devote himself to the service of his Redeemer. Instead of being profane, contentious, selfish, or sensual, behold him patient, humble, kind, and peaceable.

The hope of helping in such a work should urge us to spread the gospel of salvation. And help us, O Spirit of all truth, to have such views of the fullness, freeness, and greatness of the rich mercy in Christ, that may remove from us all narrow views of sovereign grace.