Come to the Waters
"Without money and without cost"
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What does it say?
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The whole message, in shortThe main points of the whole message, in a few sentences.
God calls out like a seller in a market: "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters," and buy without money. He invites people to stop spending on what doesn't satisfy, to seek him while he is near, and to return to him, because he will freely pardon. His ways are higher than ours, his word will not return empty, and creation will sing as his people go out in joy.
Where it is in the Bible: Isaiah 55
All the sections at a glanceA map of the message, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Message
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Come, Buy Without Money | 55:1-2 | God invites the thirsty to a free feast |
| 2. Listen and Live | 55:3-5 | God promises an everlasting covenant |
| 3. Seek the LORD | 55:6-7 | God will freely pardon |
| 4. My Ways Are Higher | 55:8-9 | God's thoughts are beyond ours |
| 5. Rain and Snow | 55:10-11 | God's word does what he sends it to do |
| 6. Trees Clap Their Hands | 55:12-13 | All creation celebrates |
Before You Read
Who it's for. God's people in exile in Babylon, far from home. Some had settled in and made money. Others were poor and hungry for hope.
What comes before. Chapter 53 tells of God's servant who suffers for the sins of others. Chapter 54 promises God's everlasting love.
What this passage is. An invitation to a free feast. It sounds like someone calling out in a marketplace, but everything is free.
How to read it. This is the end of a long section of Isaiah. It closes with joy: mountains singing and trees clapping.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 6Come, Buy Without Money
"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat!" (55:1).
"Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!" (55:1).
It sounds impossible. How do you buy without money? God's gifts are free.
"Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy?" (55:2).
People were working hard for things that didn't fill them up.
Section 2 of 6Listen and Live
"Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live" (55:3). To incline your ear means to lean in and listen.
God promises an everlasting covenant, the faithful love he promised King David.
Nations that don't know God will come running.
Section 3 of 6Seek the LORD
"Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near" (55:6).
Anyone who has gone the wrong way can turn around and come back to God.
"For He will freely pardon" (55:7). To pardon means to forgive.
Section 4 of 6My Ways Are Higher
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD (55:8).
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts" (55:9).
God's forgiveness is bigger than we can imagine. People might not forgive so freely. God does.
Section 5 of 6Rain and Snow
Rain and snow fall from the sky. They don't go back up until they have watered the earth and made things grow.
"So My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it" (55:11).
This is a comparison. When God speaks, something happens. His word always does its work.
Section 6 of 6Trees Clap Their Hands
"You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace" (55:12).
"The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands" (55:12).
Instead of thorns, beautiful trees will grow.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Come, all you who are thirsty" (55:1) | Everyone who needs God is invited. |
| "Without money and without cost" (55:1) | God's gifts can't be bought. They are free. |
| "That which does not satisfy" (55:2) | Many things we chase leave us empty. |
| "He will freely pardon" (55:7) | God forgives generously. |
| "My ways are higher than your ways" (55:9) | God's mercy is bigger than ours. |
| "My word... will not return to Me empty" (55:11) | God's word always does what he sends it to do. |
Back Then
Water sellers called out in markets. In dry lands, people sold water in the streets. Isaiah's invitation sounds like their call, but free.
The "everlasting covenant" with David was God's promise that David's family would rule forever (2 Samuel 7:16).
"The trees of the field will clap their hands" has become a well-known worship song.
Literal Reader Alert
Does this mean money is bad? No. Isaiah is saying that the most important things, like forgiveness and life with God, can't be bought.
"Seek the LORD while He may be found." Will God stop being findable? God is always near. But Isaiah is urging people not to wait. Today is the day to come.
Do trees really clap? No. This is poetry. It means even creation celebrates when God saves his people.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The thirsty | Empty | They spent money on what doesn't satisfy (55:2) |
| The wicked | Lost | They had gone their own way (55:7) |
| God's people | Joyful | They go out with joy (55:12) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What are you thirsty for? Tap one.
Something that satisfies
God invites you to the feast that fills.
Forgiveness
"He will freely pardon." Come back.
I'm broke
The feast is without money. It's free.
God's word
It never comes back empty. Keep listening.
You Might Have Heard
"You get what you pay for."
What's true: Many things in life cost money or work.
What the passage is mainly about: The most important thing can't be bought. God offers life, forgiveness, and joy for free. All you can do is come, receive, and eat.
Where Jesus is: Jesus said, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink" (John 7:37). He gives living water and the bread of life, free.
Good News
God throws a feast and says, "Come, it's free."
"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters" (55:1).
Jesus paid the full price, so we can come without money. His forgiveness is free, and his word always does its work.
God invites the thirsty to come and receive for free. He freely forgives, and his word never returns empty.
Big Idea
"Come, all you who are thirsty." God's gifts are free, his forgiveness is generous, and his word never returns empty.
If this message brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther loved Isaiah 55:11. He said God's word does its work by itself. Our job is to preach it, and God's word will accomplish what he sends it to do.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Isaiah 55:1-9 on the Third Sunday in Lent in Year C. In Year A, it reads Isaiah 55:10-13 in July (Lectionary 15) and Isaiah 55:1-5 in early August (Lectionary 18). It is also read at the Easter Vigil.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty
How did that feel?
You finished Come to the Waters.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 15 Year AFirst reading, Isaiah 55:10–13
- Lectionary 18 Year AFirst reading, Isaiah 55:1–5
- Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany Year CFirst reading, Sirach 27:4–7 or Isaiah 55:10–13
- Third Sunday in Lent Year CFirst reading, Isaiah 55:1–9
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Come to the Waters, explained in plain words. God throws a free feast for everyone who is thirsty. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/come-to-the-waters/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church