Isaiah 56

KJV · Chapter 56/66

1Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

2Blessed 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.

3Neither 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.

4For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;

5Even 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.

6Also 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;

7Even 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.

8The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.

9All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.

10His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

11Yea, 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.

12Come 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.

📖 Chapter study

Summary

God declares that foreigners and eunuchs who keep his covenant will be welcomed into his house, which will be a 'house of prayer for all peoples.' The chapter closes by denouncing irresponsible religious leaders, compared to 'dumb dogs' that cannot bark (to warn the people).

Explanation

This chapter is radically inclusive by the standards of its time: eunuchs and foreigners were traditionally excluded from full religious participation in Israel (as in Deuteronomy 23:1-3), but God promises them "a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters" if they keep his covenant sincerely. The phrase "my house shall be called a house of prayer for all people" is quoted directly by Jesus when he drives out the money changers from the temple (Matthew 21:13, Mark 11:17), expressing indignation because the court set aside for the Gentiles (non-Jews) was being used for commerce instead of prayer. The final criticism of leaders as "dumb dogs" that cannot bark denounces spiritual shepherds who neglect their duty to warn the people about moral and spiritual dangers. The practical application today is that the community of faith should be genuinely welcoming to all who sincerely seek God, regardless of their origin or social status.

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