Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.
Seek the LORD
The Hebrew word for "seek" is "דָּרַשׁ" (darash), which implies a diligent pursuit or inquiry. In the context of Isaiah, this call to seek the LORD is an urgent invitation to pursue a relationship with God. Historically, this was a time when the Israelites were in exile, and the prophet Isaiah was urging them to turn back to God. Theologically, it underscores the importance of actively pursuing God, not passively waiting for Him to come to us. This pursuit is not just a one-time event but a continuous, intentional effort to know and follow God.

while He may be found
This phrase suggests a window of opportunity, indicating that there is a time when God is especially accessible. The Hebrew word "מָצָא" (matsa) means to find or encounter. Theologically, this implies that God's grace is available, but not indefinitely. It is a call to urgency, reminding believers that the opportunity to turn to God is now, and should not be delayed. Historically, this reflects the prophetic urgency in Isaiah's message to the Israelites, who were in danger of missing God's deliverance.

call on Him
The Hebrew word "קָרָא" (qara) means to call out, proclaim, or summon. This is an invitation to prayer and communication with God. It emphasizes the personal nature of our relationship with God, where we are encouraged to reach out to Him. In the historical context of Isaiah, calling on God was a way for the Israelites to express their dependence and trust in Him amidst their trials. For contemporary believers, it is a reminder of the power and necessity of prayer in our spiritual lives.

while He is near
The phrase "while He is near" suggests God's proximity and availability. The Hebrew word "קָרוֹב" (qarov) means near or close. This indicates that God is not distant or aloof but is accessible and ready to respond to those who seek Him. In Isaiah's time, this was a reassurance to the Israelites that despite their circumstances, God was close and willing to help. For believers today, it is a comforting reminder of God's constant presence and readiness to engage with us when we reach out to Him.

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. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God in the Hebrew Bible, representing His eternal, self-existent nature and His relationship with His people.

3. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel during Isaiah's time, often the primary audience of his prophecies.

4. Exile
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of Isaiah includes the looming threat of exile for the people of Judah due to their disobedience.

5. Repentance
An underlying theme in Isaiah 55, calling the people to turn back to God and seek His forgiveness and guidance.
Teaching Points
Urgency of Seeking God
The phrase "while He may be found" suggests a limited time offer, urging believers to prioritize their relationship with God before it's too late.

God's Nearness
The assurance that God is "near" encourages believers to approach Him with confidence, knowing that He is accessible and willing to engage with them.

Call to Repentance
This verse is a call to turn away from sin and towards God, emphasizing the importance of repentance in the believer's life.

Active Pursuit
Seeking and calling on God requires intentionality and effort, reminding believers that a passive approach to faith is insufficient.

Faith and Trust
Trusting in God's promise to be found by those who seek Him strengthens faith and encourages a deeper reliance on His presence and guidance.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does it mean to "seek the LORD" in your daily life, and how can you make this a priority?

2. How does the concept of God's nearness in Isaiah 55:6 provide comfort and assurance in times of trouble?

3. In what ways can you actively "call on Him" in your current circumstances, and what might be hindering you from doing so?

4. How do other scriptures, such as Jeremiah 29:13 and Matthew 7:7-8, reinforce the message of Isaiah 55:6?

5. Reflect on a time when you earnestly sought God and experienced His presence. How can this past experience encourage you to seek Him more consistently?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 29:13
This verse echoes the call to seek God with all one's heart, promising that He will be found by those who earnestly seek Him.

Matthew 7:7-8
Jesus' teaching on asking, seeking, and knocking parallels the invitation in Isaiah 55:6 to actively pursue a relationship with God.

Acts 17:27
Paul speaks of God's nearness and the call for people to seek Him, reinforcing the idea that God is accessible to those who reach out to Him.

Hebrews 11:6
This verse highlights the necessity of faith in seeking God, emphasizing that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
God's Especial NearnessW. Clarkson Isaiah 55:6
The Time for Seeking After GodR. Tuck Isaiah 55:6
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
Christ a Witness to the PeopleA Barnes, D. D.Isaiah 55:4-6
Christ as a WitnessHomilistIsaiah 55:4-6
Christ Given as a LeaderJ. Allan.Isaiah 55:4-6
Christ Given, as a WitnessJ. Allan.Isaiah 55:4-6
Christ the Father's WitnessR. Jessop, M. A.Isaiah 55:4-6
Christ's Triple CharacterIsaiah 55:4-6
Our Glorified LeaderF. B. Meyer, B. A.Isaiah 55:4-6
The Grand ChieftainHomilistIsaiah 55:4-6
The Greatest Gift in Time or EternityIsaiah 55:4-6
The People's LeaderW. Birch.Isaiah 55:4-6
Witness; Leader; CommanderProf. J. Skinner, D. D.Isaiah 55:4-6
A Fatal DelusionAnon.Isaiah 55:6-9
Abundant PardonPrincipal Morison, D. D.Isaiah 55:6-9
Call Ye Upon Him While He is NearChristian AgeIsaiah 55:6-9
Delay Inseeking GodGregory.Isaiah 55:6-9
Duty and PrivilegePrincipal Morison, D. D.Isaiah 55:6-9
God Unknown, Yet KnownS. Cox, D. D.Isaiah 55:6-9
Importance of Seeking God At the Present MomentW. Jay.Isaiah 55:6-9
Missing the TideIsaiah 55:6-9
No DelayIsaiah 55:6-9
OpportunityW. Jay.Isaiah 55:6-9
OpportunityD. L. Moody.Isaiah 55:6-9
Scripture Blessings ConditionalJ. Parker, D. D.Isaiah 55:6-9
Seeking LordF. G. Davis.Isaiah 55:6-9
The Best Time to Seek the LordE. D. Solomon.Isaiah 55:6-9
The Delay of ConversionJ. Saurin.Isaiah 55:6-9
The God-Seeking Work, and God-Seeking SeasonW. Jones., A. Farindon, B. D.Isaiah 55:6-9
The Incredible Mercy of GodS. Cox, D. D.Isaiah 55:6-9
The Lord to be SoughtD. L. Moody.Isaiah 55:6-9
The Lost LordAlex. Warrack, M. A.Isaiah 55:6-9
The Lost LordW. Hoyt, D. D.Isaiah 55:6-9
The Merciful God Near, Yet UnrecognizedJ. R. Miller, D. D.Isaiah 55:6-9
The Peril of NeglectIsaiah 55:6-9
The Present All-ImportantSunday School ChronicleIsaiah 55:6-9
The Times and Places for Seeking GodJ. Cumming, D. D.Isaiah 55:6-9
Exhortations and AssuranceE. Johnson Isaiah 55:6-13
People
David, Isaiah
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Prayer, Search, Seek
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Isaiah 55:6

     4903   time
     4926   delay, human
     4937   fate, fatalism
     4966   present, the
     4971   seasons, of life
     6203   mortality
     6663   freedom, of will

Isaiah 55:6-7

     2425   gospel, requirements
     5048   opportunities, and salvation
     5940   searching
     6627   conversion, nature of
     6636   drawing near to God
     6653   forgiveness, divine
     6734   repentance, importance
     8160   seeking God
     8466   reformation

Isaiah 55:6-8

     8764   forgetting God

Isaiah 55:6-9

     8604   prayer, response to 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

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