Isaiah 55:11

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. SO SHALL MY WORD BE THAT GOETH FORTH OUT OF MY MOUTH: IT SHALL NOT RETURN UNTO ME VOID - (.) Rain may to us seem lost when it falls on a desert, but it fulfils some purpose of God. So the Gospel word falling on the hard heart: it sometimes works a change at last; and even if not so, it leaves men without excuse. The full accomplishment of this verse, and Isaiah 55:12, is, however, to be at the Jews' final restoration and conversion of the world (Isaiah 11:9;...

11._So shall my word be. _The word goeth out of the mouth of God in such a manner that it likewise “goeth out of the mouth” of men; for God does not speak openly from heaven, but employs men as his instruments, that by their agency he may make known his will. But the authority of the promises is more fully confirmed, when we are told that they proceed from the sacred mouth of God. Although, therefore, he brings forward witnesses from the earth, he declares that all that they have promised shall be ratified and sure; and, in order to impress more deeply on the minds of men the power and efficacy of preaching, he declares that he does not cast that precious seed at random, but appoints it for a fixed purpose, and consequently that we ought to entertain no doubt as to the effect; for there is nothing to which mortals are more prone than to judge of God from themselves so as to withhold beli...

6-13 Here is a gracious offer of pardon, and peace, and of all happiness. It shall not be in vain to seek God, now his word is calling to us, and his Spirit is striving with us. But there is a day coming when he will not be found. There may come such a time 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 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 to pardon, as we have multiplied to offend. But let none trifle with this plenteous mercy, or use it as an occasion to sin. Men's thoughts concerning sin, Christ, and holiness, concerning this world and the other, vastly differ from God's; but in nothi...

SO SHALL MY WORD BE - All the truth which God reveals is as much adapted to produce an effect on the hard and sterile hearts of men as the rain is on the earth. IT SHALL NOT RETURN UNTO ME VOID - It shall not return to me without accomplishing that which I intend. AND IT SHALL PROSPER - (See the note at Isaiah 52:13). This proves: 1. That God has a design in giving his Word to people. He has as distinct an intention in his Word as he has in sending down rain upon the earth. 2. That whatever is his design in giving the gospel, it shall be accomplished. It is never spoken in vain, and never fails to produce the effect which he intends. The gospel is no more preached in vain than the rain falls in vain. An

EXPOSITION ISAIAH 55:1 AN EXHORTATION TO SPIRITUALITY AND REPENTANCE. The prophet passes from the ideal to the actual, from the glorious future to the unsatisfactory present. The people are not ripe for the blessings of the Messianic kingdom—they do not sufficiently value them. Hence a tender exhortation is addressed to them by God himself, inviting them to become more spiritually minded (Isaiah 55:1), and fresh promises are held out to the obedient (Isaiah 55:3). The disobedient are then somewhat sternly exhorted to turn from their evil ways and repent ...

SO SHALL MY WORD BE THAT GOETH FORTH OUT OF MY MOUTH,.... My good word, as the Targum; this may either be understood of Christ, the eternal Word, who is called the Word of God, and may be said to go forth out of his mouth, being spoken of by all his holy prophets, since the world began, whose coming was like the rain or snow, Hosea 6:3, he came from heaven, from his Father there, and as a free gift of his, and in consequence of a decree, as the rain does; the manner of his coming, like that, was suddenly, gratefully, and with great efficacy, watering his people with his grace, through the ministry of the word, and making them fruitful; and though he returned to heaven again, yet not empty, without fruit and effect; he produced a large harvest of souls, and procured all blessings of grace for them, and accomplished the whole will and pleasure of God, in effecting the salvation of his peop...

Hear these inspired words, dear friends, as though they came fresh from heaven, as though God himself spoke them at this moment out of the excellent glory, for indeed he does so. The Word of God never grows old; these messages are just as new as if the ink on the pens of the prophet and the psalmist were not yet dry. Isaiah 55:1. _Ho every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters,_ This invitation is not given to you who are full, to you who can satisfy your own needs out of the buckets of your own righteousness. No, the prophet speaks to you thirsty ones, who feel an awful necessity which will not let you rest. Hunger you may appease; but thirst is terrible, none can bear its pangs long. «Ho, every one that thirsteth.» Whatever your age, sex, character, rank, or position in life, if you do but thirst, then the gospel stands with uplifted finger, and cries to you, «Ho!

CHAPTER 55 SALVATION'S OFFER AND PROVISION 1. _The invitation to everyone and the promise (Isaiah 55:1) _ 2. _The sure mercies of David (Isaiah 55:3) _ 3. _The exhortation to seek and to forsake (Isaiah 55:6) _ 4. _God's thoughts and God's ways (Isaiah 55:8) _ 5. _The joy, peace and glory of the future (Isaiah 55:12) _ The scope and application of this chapter must not be limited. While Israel eventually will break forth in singing as the result of believing on Him, whom they once despised, the invitation to a free and full

SEEK YAHWEH, FOR THE GREAT DELIVERANCE IS AT HAND. Let the exiles seek Yahweh, for the time is at hand. His plans for His people reach beyond their own as far as the heavens are exalted above the earth. Even as the rain and snow descend and do not return, but make the earth fruitful, so Yahweh's promise, that has gone forth from His lips, shall be accomplished without fail. (An utterance was looked upon by the Hebrews almost as a personal power fulfilling itself.) He will lead forth the rejoicing exiles, mountains and trees shall rejoice aloud as the happy procession passes. The thorn-bush and the brier (?) or nettle (?) shall give place to the fir and the myrtle, an everlasting memorial of Yahweh's gracious deliverance....

MY WORD BE THAT GOETH. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 8:3; Deuteronomy 32:2). SHALL. shall assuredly....