Isaiah 55:1-2 NIV: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?”
Using thirst as a metaphor in the Bible is fairly common. Both the Old Testament and New Testament frequently mention this easy-to-relate-to sentiment.
First, let’s think about thirst. It’s very subjective. It creeps up when we notice something lacking, and then we begin to desire that missing something. Think of things we thirst for: A dream fulfilled, loneliness quenched, peace to calm worries, being healthy or feeling “normal” again. You could be thirsty for meaning in your life… a sense of purpose. Thirsty for a relationship to heal or an answer to a prayer. All these can be very powerful yet remain somewhat subjective to our internal experience.
The first group invited to come is those who are thirsty. Next, those without money are invited to come. This is a group with more external reasons for thirst: no money, no job to get money, a physical limitation preventing work to get money, or no opportunity to get the job to get the money… you get the idea. This group thirsts, too, but there are tangible reasons they are unable to quench that thirst.
There is another group here, though, a group with money, time, and the ability to work. The problem for this group is that they are trying to fill their hunger and thirst with substitutes (Vs 2). These individuals have drive, work hard, and are chasing the dream, yet they never quite have enough. This is still thirst, but it is hard to recognize as there is an illusion of things assumed to quench the hunger and thirst all around.
I certainly have been thirsty in all three of these ways at one time or another, which means the invitation is appealing. Look closely, there is symbolism even in what is being offered. Water doesn’t surprise us; it is the most refreshing and gives instant relief when thirsty. In fact, that’s what is usually referenced in other passages – Christ our living water. But look what else is offered—wine, which symbolizes cheer, joy, and festivities, and milk, which symbolizes nourishment and growth.
In other words, we are invited not just to be refreshed but to grow and be nurtured, to have joy and good cheer as well. In fact, the last part of verse 2 says, “And let your soul delight in abundance” (AMP). That’s the ultimate remedy for our thirst: to have our souls overflow with delight and abundance.
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