Turn
your ear, and come to me. Hear, and your soul will live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Isaiah 55:3
Isaiah 54 [16.] “Behold, I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame,
and forges a weapon for his work;
and I have created the destroyer to destroy.
No weapon that is formed against you will prevail;
and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of Yahweh’s servants,
and their righteousness is of me,” says Yahweh.
Isaiah 55 [1.] “Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters!
Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat!
Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Why do you spend money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which doesn’t satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat that which is good,
and let your soul delight itself in richness.
Turn your ear, and come to me.
Hear, and your soul will live:
and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander to the peoples.
Behold, you shall call a nation that you don’t know;
and a nation that didn’t know you shall run to you,
because of Yahweh your God,
and for the Holy One of Israel;
for he has glorified you.”
Isaiah 55 [6.] Seek Yahweh while he may be found.
Call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts.
Let him return to Yahweh, and he will have mercy on him;
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Meaning:
Isaiah 55 is one of the great invitations of the Bible. It follows the song of the suffering Servant, who “was pierced for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5), and the promise of Zion’s restoration in chapter 54. Now God calls everyone who is thirsty to come and receive, without money and without price (Isaiah 55:1). Verse 3 explains what he offers: life, and a covenant that will never end.
- “Turn your ear, and come to me”
God does not ask first for payment or performance. He asks people to listen and come. God’s gifts are received by listening to his word and trusting it. Jesus made the same promise: “he who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has eternal life” (John 5:24).
- “Hear, and your soul will live”
The people had been spending their money “for that which is not bread” (Isaiah 55:2). True life does not come from what people buy or achieve, but from God himself. To listen to him is to live.
- “An everlasting covenant with you”
God had made a covenant with David, promising that his offspring would rule and that his throne would be established forever (2 Samuel 7:12-13). The psalmist celebrated it: “I will keep my loving kindness for him forever more. My covenant will stand firm with him” (Psalm 89:28). Here something remarkable happens. The covenant is made “with you,” with all who come and listen. The blessings once promised to David’s royal line are opened to the whole people of God.
- “Even the sure mercies of David”
“Mercies” translates the Hebrew word for God’s steadfast, covenant love. These mercies are “sure”: they are faithful, reliable and lasting. In Isaiah’s day David’s dynasty was weak and would soon fall to Babylon, yet God promised that his love for David would not fail. The following verses describe David’s heir as “a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples,” to whom nations that did not know Israel would run.
- Fulfilled in the risen Christ
In the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch, Paul quoted this verse from the Greek translation, “I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David,” to show that Jesus’ resurrection fulfilled it (Acts 13:34). Blessings that are everlasting require a King who lives forever. Because Jesus rose “no more to return to corruption,” the mercies promised to David are sure for all who belong to him. At the Last Supper Jesus spoke of “the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:20).
The Significance of Isaiah 55:3
- A free invitation
God’s best gifts cannot be bought. The invitation of Isaiah 55 still stands: “He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).
- Security in God’s faithfulness
The covenant rests on God’s steadfast love, not on human strength. Believers can rest in mercies that are sure because God keeps his word.
Cross-References:
2 Samuel 7:13: "He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." The covenant with David.
Acts 13:34: "I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David." Paul applies the verse to the resurrection.
John 5:24: "he who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has eternal life," Hearing that leads to life.
Conclusion: Isaiah 55:3 invites everyone to listen to God and live, and promises an everlasting covenant built on the sure, steadfast love God showed to David. What was once promised to David’s royal line is offered to all who come. The New Testament sees this fulfilled in Jesus, the risen Son of David, whose endless life makes these mercies certain.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible