Isaiah Chapter 55

“Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, &c.] These are the words not of the prophet, but of the Lord, as what follows throughout the chapter shows; and are directed to the Gentiles, as Aben Ezra thinks: and indeed their conversion is manifestly spoken of in it; and who, Kimchi says, after the war of Gog and Magog, shall know that the Lord reigns, and shall come and be desirous of learning his judgments and laws. The word “ho” is expressive of calling, as the Jewish commentators rightly observe; and carries in it an invitation, in which there seems to be a commiseration of the case of the persons…”

“THE CALL OF THE GENTILE WORLD TO FAITH THE RESULT OF GOD'S GRACE TO THE JEWS FIRST. (Isa 55:1-13) every one--After the special privileges of Israel (Isa. 54:1-17) there follow, as the consequence, the universal invitation to the Gentiles (Luk 24:47; Rom 11:12, Rom 11:15). Ho--calls the most earnest attention. thirsteth--has a keen sense of need (Mat 5:6). waters . . . wine and milk--a gradation. Not merely water, which is needed to maintain life at all, but wine and milk to strengthen, cheer, and nourish; the spiritual blessings of the Gospel are meant (Isa 25:6; Sol 5:1; Joh 7:37). "Waters," plural, to denote…”

“Ho - (הוי hôy). This word here is designed to call attention to the subject as one of importance. Every one that thirsteth - The word ‘thirst’ often indicates intense desire, and is thus applied to the sense of want which sinners often have, and to their anxious wishes for salvation. It is not improbable that the Savior had this passage in his eye when he pronounced the blessing on those who hunger and thirst after righteousness Matthew 5:6. No needs are so keen, none so imperiously demand supply, as those of hunger and thirst. They occur daily; and when long continued, as in the case of those who are…”

“Thirsteth - For the grace of God and the blessings of the gospel. This thirst implies a vehement, and active, and restless desire after it. No money - Those who are most worthless and wicked, if they do but thirst may be welcome. Buy - Procure or receive that which is freely offered. Wine and milk - All gospel - blessings; in particular, that peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, which are better than wine, and that love of God which nourishes the soul, as milk does the body. Isaiah 55:2”

“55:1-13 This final chapter of the prophecies of comfort (chs 40–55) summarizes the section’s prominent themes: blessing, covenant, witness, word, nations, glory, forgiveness, and joy. 55:1 thirsty . . . wine or milk: The invitation to eat and drink is similar to Wisdom’s call in Prov 9:5. The image promises the slaking of thirst not only by water but also by more costly items such as wine and milk. John applied a similar theme to Jesus Christ (John 4:14; 6:27, 35; 7:37; Rev 21:6; 22:17). • it’s all free: Reconciliation with God is for anyone and has no cost.”

“Ho: Rut 4:1; Pro 1:21-23, Pro 8:4; Zac 2:6 every: Isa 41:17, Isa 41:18; Psa 42:1, Psa 42:2, Psa 63:1, Psa 143:6; Joh 4:10-14, Joh 7:37, Joh 7:38; Rev 21:6; Rev 22:1, Rev 22:17 and: Mat 13:44; Rev 3:18 buy wine: Sol 1:2, Sol 1:4, Sol 5:1; Zac 9:15, Zac 10:7; Mat 26:29; Joh 2:3-10 milk: Joe 3:18; Co1 3:2; Pe1 2:2 without money: Isa 52:3; Rom 3:24; Eph 2:4-8 Isaiah 55:2”

“All things are ready; the guests are invited; and nothing is required of them except to come. "Alas, all ye thirsty ones, come ye to the water; and ye that have no silver, come ye, buy, and eat! Yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without payment! Wherefore do ye weigh silver for that which is not bread, and the result of your labour for that which satisfieth not? O hearken ye to me, and eat the good, and let your soul delight itself in fat." Hitzig and Knobel understand by water, wine, and milk, the rich material blessings which awaited the exiles on their return to their fatherland, whereas they were…”