The passage in Isaiah 55:1 states: “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” This is an invitation from God to all people to receive the free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
There are a few key things to understand about this verse:
1. It is an open invitation to all people
The verse starts by saying “Come, everyone who thirsts.” This indicates that the offer of salvation is available to everyone, not just a select few. Anyone who recognizes their need for God – their spiritual thirst – is welcome to come and receive this gift.
2. It requires recognizing your need
In order to come to the waters, you first have to recognize your thirst or need for God. The verse is addressed to those who are spiritually thirsty and know they need more than this world has to offer. We come to Christ out of an awareness of our sinfulness and need for forgiveness and restoration.
3. It is free
The verse emphasizes the free nature of this offer by saying “come, buy and eat…buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Eternal life with God cannot be earned or merited. It is a free gift of God’s grace that we simply receive through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
4. It requires action
While salvation is free, we still must “come” to the waters. There is an action required on our part. We must repent of our sins and place our faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. Salvation is not passive, but involves an active turning to God in faith.
5. The water represents the sustenance God provides
In Scripture, water often represents the spiritual sustenance and eternal life that only God can provide (John 4:13-14). As water is essential for physical life, so God’s salvation is essential for spiritual life. Coming to the waters means recognizing Jesus as the source of spiritual life.
6. It requires ongoing dependence
The offer to keep coming to the waters indicates that salvation is not a one-time event, but an ongoing relationship with Christ. As physical water must be consumed continually, so we are to continually drink of Christ and depend on him throughout our lives.
In summary, this invitation in Isaiah is a call to find spiritual fulfillment in relationship with God through Jesus. It is offered freely to all who recognize their need, but requires active faith and continual dependence upon Christ. Accepting this offer leads to eternal life and satisfaction of our deepest thirst.
7. It is rooted in God’s compassion and generosity
Such an open and free invitation reflects the gracious and generous character of God. He supplies our need out of the abundance of his love, not because we merit or earn it. The offer of salvation demonstrates God’s compassion for lost and thirsty souls.
8. It echoes Jesus’ later invitation
In the New Testament, Jesus builds on this Isaiah passage and says, “Whoever believes in me…out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). Coming to Christ is the way our deep thirst is satisfied both now and for eternity.
9. It foreshadows the Holy Spirit given to believers
The life-giving water also represents the Holy Spirit, which Jesus promised to believers and which satisfies our spiritual thirst in an ongoing way (John 4:14). The Spirit continually renews and refreshes us when we belong to Christ.
10. It leads to abundant life
Not only does this water quench thirst, it enables life to flourish. Coming to Christ provides not just survival, but overflowing, abundant life (John 10:10). As plants thrive when properly watered, we fully flourish when drinking regularly of Christ.
In today’s world full of empty promises, this ancient invitation stands as relevant as ever. It calls every thirsty soul to stop vainly chasing satisfaction in this world and instead discover the abundant life found only in relationship with our Creator. Accepting this offer starts by admitting our need and relying completely on the generous God who supplies Living Water in endless supply.
11. It calls us to leave behind worthless things
Right before this invitation, God says “Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2). God’s salvation and sustenance are free, yet we still expend time and energy chasing things that leave us empty. Answering God’s invitation requires laying aside worthless pursuits to embrace what truly satisfies.
12. It leads to joy and delight
The passage goes on to say “you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace” (Isaiah 55:12). Accepting God’s salvation fills our hearts with joy and peace that the world cannot give. The delight comes from being rightly related to our Creator and experiencing his abundant life.
13. It reconciles us to God
One aspect of coming to the waters is that our relationship with God is restored. Whereas sin previously alienated us from God and caused hostility, God’s grace reconciles us and brings peace (Romans 5:1). We are brought into a reconciled relationship with God.
14. It points forward to the Messianic Age
The passages surrounding Isaiah 55:1 hint that it points ahead to a future Messianic Age marked by redemption, restoration, and the outpouring of God’s Spirit on all. Thus, it foreshadows the salvation and true shalom that Christ ultimately achieved for all who come to the waters in him.
15. It results in multiplied fruitfulness
In Isaiah 55, coming to the waters leads to the Word of God accomplishing great purposes and the people of God blossoming and bearing fruit. When we come to Christ, we are nourished and equipped for greater fruitfulness for eternity (John 15:8).
This magnificent promise still stands today. Simply come to the waters! Admit your great thirst and discover the endless supply in Jesus. Drinking deeply of him is the only way to find true life, satisfaction, and lasting fruitfulness. The invitation is for ALL who know their great need – will you come?
16. It is rooted in the covenant faithfulness of God
Isaiah 55 comes after chapters 54 which focus on God’s everlasting covenant love and faithfulness to keep his promises to his people Israel. God’s invitation to the waters is based on his covenant commitment to redeem and restore his people. He can be fully trusted to keep his word.
17. It signifies the restoration of David’s fallen tent/dynasty
Chapter 55 also contains promises to restore David’s fallen dynasty or tent (Isaiah 55:3-5). Jesus the Messiah came as the Son of David to restore David’s throne forever. Coming to the waters means embracing Christ as the heir to David’s throne who establishes an eternal kingdom.
18. It denotes spiritual over physical thirst
In Isaiah 55:1, God invites those who thirst to come to the waters, but earlier in Isaiah God rebukes those whose thirst was merely physical: “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2). The invitation is for those who yearn for spiritual nourishment, not just physical.
19. It necessitates repentance
To come to the life-giving waters requires repenting of sin and turning to God in humility: “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts” (Isaiah 55:6-7). God’s grace is free but we must still turn from sin.
20. It promises the endless mercy of God
One of the most glorious verses in Isaiah proclaims: “let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7). God’s grace and mercy are immeasurable towards those who come to him.
The invitation in Isaiah 55:1 beautifully captures the free offer of eternal life that God extends to all people in all times. It requires admitting our need, acting in faith, and living in ongoing dependence. When we come to the waters of salvation in Christ, we find our deepest thirst quenched and enjoy the abundant life that only God can provide. The offer still stands today – come!