Pre-Lent · Sexagesima Sunday
Isaiah 55:10-13
Invitation to the Thirsty
February 8, 2026
Overview & Insights
“Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on him while he is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)
An Invitation to Sing: Once again a return to a focus on Ms Jerusalem follows the servant passage, as happened after 49:1–6 and 50:4–11. There were hints there that Ms Jerusalem’s restoration was the correlate of Ms Babylon’s humiliation in chapter 47. Chapter 54 is the systematic exposition of that theme. The prophet takes up five images of Ms Jerusalem which once again resume the themes of the people’s prayers (we are like a childless and abandoned woman, the victim of angry abuse—literally, we are a battered and insecure city) before coming to a striking conclusion.
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Commentary on Isaiah 55:10-13 - Working Preacher from Luther Seminary Working Preacher
Reads the rain and snow simile as the certain effectiveness of God's word.
Isaiah 55 Commentary (Enduring Word) Enduring Word · David Guzik
Verse by verse study of the word that goes out and does not return empty.
Isaiah 55:10 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators on the fruitful word and the joyful going out in peace.
Matthew Henry Commentary on Isaiah 55 Blue Letter Bible
Classic exposition of the free invitation and the sure success of God's word.
Background & Word Study
Isaiah 55 (Sefaria, Hebrew and English) Sefaria
Hebrew text with Jewish commentary for the close of Second Isaiah.
Isaiah 55:10 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew word study of rain, snow, seed, bread, and the sent word.
Book of Isaiah Overview, Chapters 1-39 BibleProject
Animated overview placing the promise of new creation in Isaiah's arc.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What does Isaiah 55 invite?
The chapter calls the thirsty to come to the Lord for free grace, and here urges seeking him while he is near, for his thoughts and ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8–9). Mercy is held out to all who turn.
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on Luke 8:4-15
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.