Isaiah 55:2
Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.
Why spend money on what is not bread
This phrase challenges the reader to consider the futility of investing in things that do not truly satisfy. The Hebrew word for "bread" (לֶחֶם, lechem) often symbolizes sustenance and life. In a spiritual sense, it represents the Word of God and the sustenance that comes from a relationship with Him. Historically, bread was a staple in the ancient Near Eastern diet, essential for survival. This rhetorical question invites reflection on the priorities of life, urging believers to seek spiritual nourishment over material or temporary pleasures.

and your labor on what does not satisfy?
The word "labor" (עָמָל, amal) in Hebrew conveys the idea of toil and effort. This phrase emphasizes the futility of expending energy on pursuits that ultimately leave one empty. In the context of Isaiah, the Israelites were often tempted to follow idols or engage in practices that led them away from God. The call here is to recognize that true satisfaction comes from God alone. Historically, this reflects the human tendency to seek fulfillment in worldly achievements or possessions, which can never truly satisfy the soul.

Listen carefully to Me
The imperative "listen" (שָׁמַע, shama) is a call to heed God's voice. In the Hebrew tradition, listening implies obedience and response. This phrase underscores the importance of being attentive to God's guidance and wisdom. Throughout Scripture, listening to God is associated with blessing and life. The historical context of Isaiah includes a period of rebellion and idolatry among the Israelites, making this call to listen even more urgent. It is a reminder that God's words are life-giving and essential for spiritual well-being.

and eat what is good
The invitation to "eat what is good" suggests partaking in what is wholesome and beneficial. The Hebrew word for "good" (טוֹב, tov) encompasses moral goodness, beauty, and joy. This phrase encourages believers to seek what is spiritually nourishing and aligned with God's will. In the biblical context, eating is often a metaphor for internalizing God's teachings and experiencing His blessings. Historically, this reflects the covenant relationship between God and His people, where obedience leads to experiencing His goodness.

and your soul will delight in the richest of foods
The promise that the "soul will delight" (תַּעֲנֹג, ta'anog) speaks to the deep satisfaction and joy that comes from a relationship with God. The "richest of foods" (דֶּשֶׁן, deshen) symbolizes abundance and prosperity. In the Hebrew culture, a feast was a sign of blessing and celebration. This phrase assures believers that spiritual fulfillment and joy are found in God alone. Historically, it contrasts the emptiness of idol worship with the richness of life in God. It is an invitation to experience the fullness of life that comes from walking in His ways.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Isaiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah's ministry spanned the reigns of several kings of Judah. He is known for his prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah and the salvation of the Lord.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, where Isaiah primarily ministered. During Isaiah's time, Judah faced threats from surrounding nations and internal spiritual decline.

3. The Exile
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of Isaiah includes the looming threat of exile due to the people's disobedience, which serves as a backdrop for the call to return to God.
Teaching Points
True Satisfaction Comes from God
The verse challenges us to evaluate what we are investing our time, money, and energy into. Are we seeking fulfillment in temporary things, or are we pursuing the eternal satisfaction that comes from God?

The Call to Listen and Obey
The imperative to "listen carefully" emphasizes the importance of heeding God's word. True nourishment and delight come from obedience to His voice.

Spiritual Nourishment Over Material Gain
The metaphor of "bread" and "richest of foods" points to the spiritual nourishment that God offers. We are encouraged to prioritize our spiritual health over material wealth.

God's Abundant Provision
The promise of delighting in the "richest of foods" assures us of God's abundant provision. Trusting in Him leads to a life of true contentment and joy.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some things in your life that you are spending "money" or "labor" on that do not truly satisfy? How can you redirect those efforts towards what is spiritually fulfilling?

2. How does the concept of Jesus as the "bread of life" in John 6:35 deepen your understanding of Isaiah 55:2?

3. In what ways can you "listen carefully" to God in your daily life? What practices can help you better hear and obey His voice?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision in a way that brought true satisfaction. How can this memory encourage you in your current circumstances?

5. How can the teachings of Matthew 6:19-21 about storing treasures in heaven influence your priorities and decisions today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
John 6:35
Jesus declares Himself as the "bread of life," connecting to the idea of seeking spiritual nourishment that truly satisfies, as opposed to temporary, worldly sustenance.

Matthew 6:19-21
Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth, paralleling the call in Isaiah to invest in what truly satisfies.

Psalm 63:5
David speaks of his soul being satisfied as with the richest of foods, echoing the promise of delight in God's provision found in Isaiah 55:2.
Foolish InvestmentsW.M. Statham Isaiah 55:2
Vain Expenditure on ThingsR. Tuck Isaiah 55:2
The Messianic BlessingsE. Johnson Isaiah 55:1-5
A Free SalvationIsaiah 55:1-13
A Gracious InvitationJ. Parsons.Isaiah 55:1-13
Buy and EatJ. Trapp.Isaiah 55:1-13
Buyers Will Show that They PossessW. Cleaves, M. A.Isaiah 55:1-13
Buying of ChristO. Sedgwick, B. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
Buying Without MoneyIsaiah 55:1-13
Christ's Gracious TermsO. Sedgwick, B. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
ComeJ. Trapp.Isaiah 55:1-13
Come to the WatersJ. Trapp.Isaiah 55:1-13
Come! Come!T. De Flirt Talmage, D. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
Driving a Trade with ChristO. Sedgwick, B. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
Food a Supreme NeedSunday School ChronicleIsaiah 55:1-13
God Eager for SinnersIsaiah 55:1-13
Gospel Blessings to be BoughtW. Cleaves, M. A.Isaiah 55:1-13
Gospel Invitation Without RestrictionJ. R. Macduff, D. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
Invitation; Expostulation; EntreatyO. Sedgwick, B. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
Man's Misery and God's CallG.A. Chadwick, D.D.Isaiah 55:1-13
No Coinage Can Buy Spiritual GoodA. Maclaran, D. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
Soul ThirstHomilistIsaiah 55:1-13
Spiritual MerchandiseO. Sedgwick, B. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
Spiritual ThirstO. Sedgwick, B. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
The Benefit of Trading with ChristO. Sedgwick, B. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
The Best BargainMonthly Visitor.Isaiah 55:1-13
The Cries of the Water-CarriersF. Sessions.Isaiah 55:1-13
The Desire to Bring Something to ChristIsaiah 55:1-13
The Fulness of Christ Offered to the Needy SinnerO. Sedgwick, B. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
The Gospel First Addressed to Human NecessityJ. Parker, D. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
The Gracious InvitationT. D. Witherspoon, D. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
The Great ProclamationA. Mallard, D. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
The Jews in Exile Prosperous Yet ThirstingJ. H. Jowett, M. A.Isaiah 55:1-13
The Proclamation and Expostulation of MercyJ. S. Swan.Isaiah 55:1-13
The Spiritual Appetite and its GratificationLira of FaithIsaiah 55:1-13
The True ImperialismJ. H. Jowett, M. A.Isaiah 55:1-13
Too Valuable to be BoughtChristian Budget.Isaiah 55:1-13
True Satisfaction in ChristO. Sedgwick, B. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
Trying to Buy SalvationChristian Budget.Isaiah 55:1-13
Water for the ThirstyO. Sedgwick, B. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
Water, Wine and MilkF. Delitzsch, D. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
Willingness to Buy of ChristO. Sedgwick, B. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
Wine and MilkR. Jones, M. A.Isaiah 55:1-13
Without Money and Without PriceIsaiah 55:1-13
Without Money and Without PriceO. Sedgwick, B. D.Isaiah 55:1-13
Without Money and Without PriceChristian Budget.Isaiah 55:1-13
An Unsuitable DietMrs. H. W. Smith.Isaiah 55:2-3
Diligent Hearkening to ChristIsaiah 55:2-3
FatnessIsaiah 55:2-3
Feeding on the WordIsaiah 55:2-3
Folly and WisdomR. W. Pritchard, Ph. D.Isaiah 55:2-3
Food for the SoulH. W. Thomas, D. D.Isaiah 55:2-3
Foolish Neglect and Fruitless LabourO. Sedgwick, B. D.Isaiah 55:2-3
God's Call Should be HeededO. Sedgwick, B. D.Isaiah 55:2-3
God's Provision for Man's NeedJ. Higgins.Isaiah 55:2-3
HearkeningO. Sedgwick, B. D.Isaiah 55:2-3
Hearkening and EatingA. S. Gumbart.Isaiah 55:2-3
No BreadA. S. Gumbart.Isaiah 55:2-3
The False and True in PleasureHomilistIsaiah 55:2-3
The Folly of Man as a WorkerHomilistIsaiah 55:2-3
The Folly of Pursuing that Which Does not SatisfyO. Sedgwick, B. D.Isaiah 55:2-3
The Path of LifeIsaiah 55:2-3
The Soul's Best FoodIsaiah 55:2-3
Wasted StrengthW. Clarkson Isaiah 55:2, 3
Weighing MoneyJ. A. Alexander.Isaiah 55:2-3
People
David, Isaiah
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Abundance, Best, Bread, Carefully, Delight, Diligently, Doesn't, Ear, Eat, Fare, Fatness, Fruit, Full, Gain, Hearken, Itself, Labor, Labour, Listen, Measure, Money, Pleasure, Richest, Satiety, Satisfieth, Satisfy, Soul, Spend, Wages, Weigh, Wherefore, Yourselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Isaiah 55:2

     4418   bread
     5830   delight
     5839   dissatisfaction
     5845   emptiness
     5874   happiness
     5918   pleasure

Isaiah 55:1-2

     1620   beatitudes, the
     4438   eating
     4824   famine, spiritual
     5312   feasting
     5402   market
     5939   satisfaction
     9150   Messianic banquet

Isaiah 55:1-3

     5355   invitations
     6636   drawing near to God

Isaiah 55:2-3

     1690   word of God

Library
October 4. "Instead of the Brier, the Myrtle Tree" (Isa. Lv. 13).
"Instead of the brier, the myrtle tree" (Isa. lv. 13). God's sweetest memorial is the transformed thorn and the thistle blooming with flowers of peace and sweetness, where once grew recriminations. Beloved, God is waiting to make just such memorials in your life, out of the things that are hurting you most to-day. Take the grievances, the separations, the strained friendships and the broken ties which have been the sorrow and heartbreak of your life, and let God heal them, and give you grace to make
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

December 14. "Instead of the Thorn Shall Come up the Fir Tree" (Isa. Lv. 13).
"Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree" (Isa. lv. 13). Difficulties and obstacles are God's challenges to faith. When hindrances confront us in the path of duty we are to recognize them as vessels for faith to fill with the fulness and all-sufficiency of Jesus, and as we go forward, simply and fully trusting Him, we may be tested, we may have to wait and let patience have her perfect work, but we shall surely find at last the stone rolled away, and the Lord waiting to render unto us double
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Great Proclamation
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.'--ISAIAH lv.1. The meaning of the word preach is 'proclaim like a herald'; or, what is perhaps more familiar to most of us, like a town-crier; with a loud voice, clearly and plainly delivering the message. Now, there are other notions of a sermon than that; and there is other work which ministers have to do, of an educational kind.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

God's Ways and Man's
'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. 9. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.'-- ISAIAH lv. 8, 9. Scripture gives us no revelations concerning God merely in order that we may know about Him. These words are grand poetry and noble theology, but they are meant practically and in fiery earnestness. The 'for' at the beginning of each clause points us back to the previous
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Free Salvation
I. In the first place, then, I have to preach, to-night, WINE AND MILK--"Come buy wine and milk." There we have a description of the gospel--wine that maketh glad the heart of man; milk, the one thing and the only thing in the world which contains all the essentials of life. The strongest man might live on milk, for in it. there is everything which is needed for the human frame--for bone, for sinew, for nerve, for muscle, for flesh--all is there. There you have a double description. The gospel is
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

The Need and Nature of Conversion
"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."--Isaiah 55:7. SOME years ago,[3]* I preached from the last four words of this verse, laying special stress upon the abundant pardon which is given to repenting sinners through the rich mercy of our God. On this occasion, I am going to put the emphasis upon the first part of the verse, speaking more upon the necessity
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 48: 1902

A God-Given Field (1894-1900)
"Lord, there is none beside thee to help, between the mighty and him that hath no strength; help us, O Lord our God; for we rely on thee, and in thy name are come against this multitude" (2 Chron. 14:11). THE story of the opening of Changte is so connected by a chain of prayer that to give isolated instances of prayer would be to break the chain. * * * * * A few months after our arrival in China an old, experienced missionary kindly volunteered to conduct Mr. Goforth and
Rosalind Goforth—How I Know God Answers Prayer

The Covenant of Grace
Q-20: DID GOD LEAVE ALL MANKIND TO PERISH 1N THE ESTATE OF SIN AND MISERY? A: No! He entered into a covenant of grace to deliver the elect out of that state, and to bring them into a state of grace by a Redeemer. 'I will make an everlasting covenant with you.' Isa 55:5. Man being by his fall plunged into a labyrinth of misery, and having no way left to recover himself, God was pleased to enter into a new covenant with him, and to restore him to life by a Redeemer. The great proposition I shall go
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

A New Agency Needed
"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."[3] How true are these words! When the LORD is bringing in great blessing in the best possible way, how oftentimes our unbelieving hearts are feeling, if not saying, like Jacob of old, "All these things are against me." Or we are filled with fear, as were the disciples when the LORD, walking on the
James Hudson Taylor—A Retrospect

My Beloved is Mine and I am His; He Feedeth among the Lilies.
O inconceivable happiness of a soul wholly and unreservedly devoted to her beloved, and to whom the Well-beloved is all! The Spouse is here so enamored of the goodness and caresses of the Bridegroom manifested for the purpose of obliging her to leave herself, that she thinks she has already arrived at the height of felicity and summit of perfection, and that her marriage is now to take place. She says that her Beloved is hers, to dispose of as pleases Him, and that she is His, for the whole extent
Madame Guyon—Song of Songs of Solomon

The Warmly Affectionate Dutch
Sunday, 22.--I went to the new church, so called still, though four or five hundred years old. It is larger, higher, and better illuminated than most of our cathedrals. The screen that divides the church from the choir is of polished brass and shines like gold. I understood the Psalms that were sung, and the text well, and a little of the sermon which Mr. De H. delivered with great earnestness. At two I began the service at the English church, an elegant building, about the size of West Street Chapel.
John Wesley—The Journal of John Wesley

The Passing and the Permanent
'For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.'--ISAIAH liv, 10.-- There is something of music in the very sound of these words. The stately march of the grand English translation lends itself with wonderful beauty to the melody of Isaiah's words. But the thought that lies below them, sweeping as it does through the whole creation, and parting all things
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Immanuel
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name IMMANUEL , God with us. T here is a signature of wisdom and power impressed upon the works of God, which evidently distinguishes them from the feeble imitations of men. Not only the splendour of the sun, but the glimmering light of the glow-worm proclaims His glory. The structure and growth of a blade of grass, are the effects of the same power which produced the fabric of the heavens and the earth. In His Word likewise He is
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

"And this is his Commandment," &C.
1 John iii. 23.--"And this is his commandment," &c. There are different tempers of mind among men, some more smooth and pliable, others more refractory and froward. Some may be persuaded by love, who cannot be constrained by fear. With some a request will more prevail than a command. Others again are of a harsher disposition. Love and condescension doth rather embolden them, and therefore they must be restrained with the bridle of authority. It would seem that the Lord hath some regard to this in
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Introduction, with Some General Observations from the Cohesion.
Doubtless it is always useful, yea, necessary, for the children of God to know the right way of making use of Christ, who is made all things to them which they need, even "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption," 1 Cor. i. 30. But it is never more necessary for believers to be clear and distinct in this matter, than when Satan, by all means, is seeking to pervert the right ways of the Lord, and, one way or other, to lead souls away, and draw them off Christ; knowing that, if he prevail
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Conversion of all that Come.
"Turn Thou me and I shall be turned." --Jer. xxxi. 18. The elect, born again and effectually called, converts himself. To remain unconverted is impossible; but he inclines his ear, he turns his face to the blessed God, he is converted in the fullest sense of the word. In conversion the fact of cooperation on the part of the saved sinner assumes a clearly defined and perceptible character. In regeneration there was none; in the calling there was a beginning of it; in conversion proper it became a
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Boasted Merit of Works Subversive Both of the Glory of God, in Bestowing Righteousness, and of the Certainty of Salvation.
1. After a brief recapitulation, the question, Whether or not good works merit favor with God, considered. 2. First answer, fixing the meaning of the term Merit. This term improperly applied to works, but used in a good sense, as by Augustine, Chrysostom, Bernard. 3. A second answer to the question. First by a negative, then by a concession. In the rewarding of works what to be attributed to God, and what to man. Why good works please God, and are advantageous to those who do them. The ingratitude
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Credibility of Scripture Sufficiently Proved in So Far as Natural Reason Admits.
1. Secondary helps to establish the credibility of Scripture. I. The arrangement of the sacred volume. II. Its dignity. III. Its truth. IV. Its simplicity. V. Its efficacy. 2. The majesty conspicuous in the writings of the Prophets. 3. Special proofs from the Old Testament. I. The antiquity of the Books of Moses. 4. This antiquity contrasted with the dreams of the Egyptians. II. The majesty of the Books of Moses. 5. The miracles and prophecies of Moses. A profane objection refuted. 6. Another profane
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Memoir of John Bunyan
THE FIRST PERIOD. THIS GREAT MAN DESCENDED FROM IGNOBLE PARENTS--BORN IN POVERTY--HIS EDUCATION AND EVIL HABITS--FOLLOWS HIS FATHER'S BUSINESS AS A BRAZIER--ENLISTS FOR A SOLDIER--RETURNS FROM THE WARS AND OBTAINS AN AMIABLE, RELIGIOUS WIFE--HER DOWER. 'We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.'--2 Cor 4:7 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.'--Isaiah 55:8. 'Though ye have lien among the
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

"Come unto Me, all Ye that Labour, and are Wearied," &C.
Matth. xi. 28.--"Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are wearied," &c. It is the great misery of Christians in this life, that they have such poor, narrow, and limited spirits, that are not fit to receive the truth of the gospel in its full comprehension; from whence manifold misapprehensions in judgment, and stumbling in practice proceed. The beauty and life of things consist in their entire union with one another, and in the conjunction of all their parts. Therefore it would not be a fit way
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Water of Life;
OR, A DISCOURSE SHOWING THE RICHNESS AND GLORY OF THE GRACE AND SPIRIT OF THE GOSPEL, AS SET FORTH IN SCRIPTURE BY THIS TERM, THE WATER OF LIFE. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.'--Revelation 22:17 London: Printed for Nathanael Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1688. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Often, and in every age, the children of God have dared to doubt the sufficiency of divine grace; whether it was vast enough to reach their condition--to cleanse
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

"Whereby we Cry, Abba, Father. "
Rom. viii. 15.--"Whereby we cry, Abba, Father." All that know any thing of religion, must needs know and confess that there is no exercise either more suitable to him that professeth it, or more needful for him, than to give himself to the exercise of prayer. But that which is confessed by all, and as to the outward performance gone about by many, I fear is yet a mystery sealed up from us, as the true and living nature of it. There is much of it expressed here in few words, "whereby we cry, Abba,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Links
Isaiah 55:2 NIV
Isaiah 55:2 NLT
Isaiah 55:2 ESV
Isaiah 55:2 NASB
Isaiah 55:2 KJV

Isaiah 55:2 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Isaiah 55:1
Top of Page
Top of Page