Isaiah — Chapter 55
Synopsis Capitis
Synopsis: The great universal invitation — 'Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters' (v.1). The chapter develops the covenant promise (v.3, 'an everlasting covenant, the sure mercies of David'), the mission of the Davidic servant-king to the nations (v.4-5), and the efficacy of God's word (v.10-11, 'my word shall not return to me empty'). Lapide reads this as the fullest Old Testament invitation to the Eucharist and to grace.
Verse 1
Omnes sitientes, venite ad aquas
Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat. Cited in John 7:37-38 (Christ at the Feast of Tabernacles: 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink') and Apoc 22:17 ('Let the one who thirsts come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price'). Lapide: the 'waters' are the grace of God, the doctrine of the Gospel, and above all the Holy Eucharist. 'Without money and without price' = grace is gratuitous, not earned; no merit precedes the first justifying grace. 'Buy wine and milk without money' = the spiritual goods of faith and charity, more nourishing than bodily wine and milk, freely given.
Verse 3
Inclinate aurem vestram et venite ad me, audite et vivet anima vestra
Incline your ear and come to me; hear, that your soul may live. And I will make with you an everlasting covenant, the steadfast mercies promised to David. 'Your soul shall live' = the theological life of grace (not merely physical life). 'The steadfast mercies of David' (Hebrew: hasde David) = the sure mercies (covenantal lovingkindness) promised to the Davidic line — fulfilled in Christ the true Son of David. Paul (Acts 13:34) applies 'the holy things of David' to the resurrection of Christ: Christ's resurrection is the supreme expression of God's faithfulness to the Davidic covenant.
Verse 11
Sic erit verbum meum quod egredietur de ore meo non revertetur ad me vacuum
So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose. The efficacy of God's word — applied to (1) Christ, the eternal Word made flesh, who accomplishes the full redemption; (2) Scripture, whose truth and power is absolutely reliable; (3) the sacramental words (especially the words of consecration), which infallibly produce what they signify; (4) the preached word of the Gospel, which always produces some effect (even if sometimes only judgment). Lapide: this verse is the foundation of the doctrine of sacramental ex opere operato efficacy — the word of God acts by its own power, not by the worthiness of the minister.