The Vision of Isaiah

Chapter 56

The prophet exhorts to sanctification, 1, 2. He promises it shall be general, without respect of persons, 3-8. He draws up a charge against blind watchmen, 9-12.

Thus says the LORD:/
"Keep judgment and do justice,/
for my salvation is near to come/
and my righteousness to be revealed.

Blessed is the man who does this,/
and the son of man who lays hold upon it,/
who keeps the sabbath from profaning it,/
and keeps his hand from doing any evil."

Do not let the son of the stranger,/
who has joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying,/
"The LORD has utterly separated me from his people,"/
neither let the eunuch say,/
"Behold, I am a dry tree."

For thus says the LORD:/
"To the eunuchs who keep my sabbaths/
and choose the things that please me/
and take hold of my covenant,

Even to them I will give in my 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,/
who join themselves to the LORD to serve him,/
to love the name of the LORD,/
to be his servants,/
everyone who keeps the sabbath from profaning it,/
and takes hold of my covenant,

Even them I will bring to my holy mountain/
and make them joyful in my house of prayer./
Their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices/
shall be accepted upon my altar,/
for my house shall be called/
a house of prayer for all people."

The Lord GOD who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says,/
"Yet I will gather others to him,/
besides those who are gathered to him."

All you beasts of the field, come to devour,/
even all you beasts in the forest.

10 His watchmen are blind./
They are all ignorant./
They are all mute dogs/
that cannot bark./
They are sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

11 Indeed, they are greedy dogs/
which can never have enough,/
and they are shepherds/
who cannot understand./
They all look to their own way,/
each for his gain, from his quarter.

12 "Come," they say, "I will bring wine,/
and we will fill ourselves with strong drink,/
and tomorrow shall be as this day,/
and much more abundant."

Commentary

Matthew Henry Commentary - Isaiah, Chapter 56[➚]

Notes

[v.7] - Quoted in Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46.

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