Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.
His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
Isaiah 56 presents a powerful message of justice, righteousness, and inclusion, offering a glimpse into God's heart for all people. This chapter serves as both a promise of future blessings and a sharp rebuke of present failings, highlighting the importance of living a life that reflects God's character. Isaiah 56 is a crucial passage for understanding God's vision for a transformed world.
The Promise of Salvation for All (Isaiah 56:1-8)
Isaiah 56:1-8 begins with an urgent call to "maintain justice and do what is right." This appeal is directed towards Israel, emphasizing the imminence of God's salvation. The emphasis on justice and righteousness underscores that these qualities are not merely external actions but are intrinsically linked to experiencing God's saving power. God's salvation is not just a future hope but a present reality that demands a just and righteous response.
The passage then extends a message of hope to foreigners who have joined themselves to the LORD (Isaiah 56:3). This is a significant declaration, suggesting that God's covenant community is not limited by ethnicity or nationality. In the future millennial kingdom, righteous non-Jews will also share in the blessings of Christ's rule. Even in the Old Testament dispensation, Gentiles who believed in the God of Israel and bound themselves to Him had a place within His covenant community. They are assured that they will also share in the kingdom with Israel, including sharing in Israel's regathering to enjoy God's salvation and blessings under Christ's righteous rule.
This inclusion is further emphasized by God's promise of a name and a place better than sons and daughters to those who keep His Sabbaths and hold fast to His covenant (Isaiah 56:4-5). This suggests that loyalty and devotion to God transcend biological lineage. God values a genuine relationship with Him above all else.
Furthermore, God promises a special blessing and kingdom position to those who maintain their sexual purity, aligning with teachings found elsewhere in Scripture (1 Corinthians 6:9-19). This demonstrates that moral integrity is a key component of living a life pleasing to God.
God's house will be called a house of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:7). This is a prophetic vision of a time when people from every corner of the earth will gather to worship God. This promise foreshadows the universal reach of the Gospel and the inclusion of all believers in God's family.
The Failure of Leadership (Isaiah 56:9-12)
The joyous promise of salvation and the blessings of God's millennial kingdom stand in stark contrast to the condemnation of the sinful behavior of God's people in Isaiah's day (Isaiah 56:9–57:21). God turns His attention to the spiritual decay within the nation. The juxtaposition of these two sections highlights the tragic consequences of failing to live up to God's standards.
The imagery in Isaiah 56:9 is striking: God invites the "beasts of the field" to devour His people. This is a symbolic representation of the destruction that will come upon Judah, likely referring to the Babylonian destroyers. The invitation to the beasts signifies that the nation has become vulnerable and exposed due to its own wickedness.
The indictment is particularly harsh against the nation's spiritual leaders (Isaiah 56:10-12). Those who should have been alert watchmen and caring shepherds are instead portrayed as "mute dogs" who care only for themselves and their own appetites. They are characterized by greed, laziness, and a lack of concern for the well-being of the flock. Their failure to fulfill their responsibilities has led the nation astray and opened the door to judgment. They are consumed with selfish desires, constantly seeking their own gain, and neglecting the spiritual needs of the people. Their moral and spiritual corruption has disastrous consequences for the entire nation.
The leaders' insatiable appetite for pleasure and their pursuit of selfish gain further demonstrate their unsuitability to lead God's people. Instead of guiding with wisdom and integrity, they lead the nation into moral decay.
Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.
His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
Isaiah 56 presents a powerful message of justice, righteousness, and inclusion, offering a glimpse into God's heart for all people. This chapter serves as both a promise of future blessings and a sharp rebuke of present failings, highlighting the importance of living a life that reflects God's character. Isaiah 56 is a crucial passage for understanding God's vision for a transformed world.
The Promise of Salvation for All (Isaiah 56:1-8)
Isaiah 56:1-8 begins with an urgent call to "maintain justice and do what is right." This appeal is directed towards Israel, emphasizing the imminence of God's salvation. The emphasis on justice and righteousness underscores that these qualities are not merely external actions but are intrinsically linked to experiencing God's saving power. God's salvation is not just a future hope but a present reality that demands a just and righteous response.
The passage then extends a message of hope to foreigners who have joined themselves to the LORD (Isaiah 56:3). This is a significant declaration, suggesting that God's covenant community is not limited by ethnicity or nationality. In the future millennial kingdom, righteous non-Jews will also share in the blessings of Christ's rule. Even in the Old Testament dispensation, Gentiles who believed in the God of Israel and bound themselves to Him had a place within His covenant community. They are assured that they will also share in the kingdom with Israel, including sharing in Israel's regathering to enjoy God's salvation and blessings under Christ's righteous rule.
This inclusion is further emphasized by God's promise of a name and a place better than sons and daughters to those who keep His Sabbaths and hold fast to His covenant (Isaiah 56:4-5). This suggests that loyalty and devotion to God transcend biological lineage. God values a genuine relationship with Him above all else.
Furthermore, God promises a special blessing and kingdom position to those who maintain their sexual purity, aligning with teachings found elsewhere in Scripture (1 Corinthians 6:9-19). This demonstrates that moral integrity is a key component of living a life pleasing to God.
God's house will be called a house of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:7). This is a prophetic vision of a time when people from every corner of the earth will gather to worship God. This promise foreshadows the universal reach of the Gospel and the inclusion of all believers in God's family.
The Failure of Leadership (Isaiah 56:9-12)
The joyous promise of salvation and the blessings of God's millennial kingdom stand in stark contrast to the condemnation of the sinful behavior of God's people in Isaiah's day (Isaiah 56:9–57:21). God turns His attention to the spiritual decay within the nation. The juxtaposition of these two sections highlights the tragic consequences of failing to live up to God's standards.
The imagery in Isaiah 56:9 is striking: God invites the "beasts of the field" to devour His people. This is a symbolic representation of the destruction that will come upon Judah, likely referring to the Babylonian destroyers. The invitation to the beasts signifies that the nation has become vulnerable and exposed due to its own wickedness.
The indictment is particularly harsh against the nation's spiritual leaders (Isaiah 56:10-12). Those who should have been alert watchmen and caring shepherds are instead portrayed as "mute dogs" who care only for themselves and their own appetites. They are characterized by greed, laziness, and a lack of concern for the well-being of the flock. Their failure to fulfill their responsibilities has led the nation astray and opened the door to judgment. They are consumed with selfish desires, constantly seeking their own gain, and neglecting the spiritual needs of the people. Their moral and spiritual corruption has disastrous consequences for the entire nation.
The leaders' insatiable appetite for pleasure and their pursuit of selfish gain further demonstrate their unsuitability to lead God's people. Instead of guiding with wisdom and integrity, they lead the nation into moral decay.