Isaiah 56
Evangelical Promises; Exhortations to Duty.This section teaches that when God is ready to show us mercy, we should respond by living faithfully. God’s blessings and promises are given to encourage us to do what is right. We should not become lazy or careless just because God promises salvation. Instead, his kindness should lead us to obey him even more.v. 1: God announces that his salvation is coming soon. My salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed . This refers to the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ, which the prophets spoke about and longed to see (1 Peter 1:10 a). In the gospel, God’s righteousness is shown. The law reveals our guilt, but the gospel shows how believers are made right with God (Romans 1:17 b). The believers in the Old Testament looked forward to this salvation, and now it has come for us. v. 2: God expects us to do what is right as we wait for his salvation. We must keep judgment and do justice—be honest, fair, and treat others as we want to be treated. This proves our faith is real and prepares the way for God’s blessings. At the same time, we must also keep the sabbath from polluting it and value the special time set apart for God. This command was important for the Jews in exile, but it also teaches us today to honor God with our time and worship. Those who keep the sabbath and do what is right are called blessed. When we honor God, he will bless our whole week, and as we grow in godliness, we will also become more honest and just (1 Timothy 2:2 c).We must avoid sin and keep our hands from doing evil. This means not harming our neighbor in any way—by actions, words, or even attitudes. True sabbath-keeping leads to a good conscience and a holy life throughout the week. If we have truly spent time with God, it will be seen in how we live and treat others. Encouragement to the Sincere; Encouragement to the Gentiles.In this section, God encourages everyone who truly wants to belong to him, especially those who feel left out or discouraged. Some people were worried because they were not biological descendants of Abraham, while others, like eunuchs, were saddened because they could not have children or fully participate in the worship life of Israel. God wants to assure these sincere seekers that they are welcome in his family, no matter their background or circumstances.v. 3: Many Gentiles, called sons of the stranger, feared that God would not accept them because they were not Israelites. They said, The Lord has utterly separated me from his people . Some eunuchs also felt discouraged, calling themselves dry trees because they could not have children or participate fully in Israel’s religious life (Leviticus 21:20; Deuteronomy 23:1 d). God does not want these people to be discouraged or to believe they are excluded from his grace. Even when we feel unworthy or left out, God’s promises are bigger than our fears. v. 4–5: God gives special encouragement to those who feel left out because they cannot have children. He says that those who keep my sabbaths, choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant will have a place and a name in his house that is better than sons and daughters (Isaiah 56:4–5 e). God will give them an everlasting name that will never be cut off. This means that belonging to God and being part of his people is more important and lasting than having a big family or a famous name on earth. God’s blessing in his house is forever. – v. 6–7: God also promises blessings to foreigners who join themselves to him and serve him. If they love the name of the Lord, keep the sabbath, and hold fast to his covenant, they will be welcomed into his house of prayer (Isaiah 56:6–7 f). God will bring them to his holy mountain, accept their worship, and fill them with joy in his house. Their prayers and sacrifices will be accepted just like those of the Israelites. God’s house will be a house of prayer for all people (Matthew 21:13; Acts 10:35 g). – v. 8: God declares that he will gather the outcasts of Israel and also gather others to himself . This means that not only will scattered Israelites be brought back, but many people from all nations will be welcomed. There will be one flock and one shepherd (John 10:16 h). God’s family will keep growing as more people from different backgrounds come to faith in him. This is a promise that the church will always be open to everyone who truly seeks God. A Charge against the Prophets.Here, the prophet suddenly moves from words of comfort to words of warning. After promising that God would one day deliver his people, Isaiah now explains why judgment would come. He shows that it is because of the sins and failures of the people—especially their leaders. This warning is meant to convict those living in Isaiah’s own time, long before the Babylonian captivity. It helps explain why God’s judgment is just and deserved.v. 9: God calls for judgment against his people. He invites the beasts of the field and the beasts of the forest to come and devour . This means that foreign armies, like the Babylonians and later the Romans, would be allowed to attack because God’s people had turned away from him. When God decides to punish, he easily finds those who will carry out his judgment. v. 10–11: The leaders, called shepherds or watchmen, are described as blind and ignorant. His watchmen are blind…they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark (Isaiah 56:10 i). They do not warn the people of danger. Instead, they are lazy and love to sleep. They only care about themselves and are greedy for gain. They look after their own interests, not the needs of the people. This was true of the false prophets and corrupt leaders in Isaiah’s time, and also of the religious leaders during Jesus’ time (Matthew 15:14; Jeremiah 3:15 j; Philippians 2:21 k). They failed to guide, protect, or teach the people, making them easy victims for their enemies. – v. 12: These leaders are also guilty of loving pleasure and living only for themselves. They say, Come, 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 56:12 l). They are confident that their good times will continue, ignoring the risk of judgment and forgetting that life is uncertain. They encourage each other and the people to keep sinning, not realizing that disaster could come at any moment. God warns not to trust in tomorrow, because judgment can come suddenly and unexpectedly.
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