Isaiah 56:2. That keepeth the sabbath— By keeping the sabbath, which was particularly ordained for the worship of God, is meant all that which pertains to the divine worship under the Gospel; and by keeping the hand from doing evil, is meant, the abstinence from all evil and immoral works. It cannot possibly be supposed that the prophet here speaks merely of the external or legal sabbath. read more
Isaiah 56:3-7. Neither let the son of the stranger, &c.— The strangers and eunuchs were excluded from the privileges of native Jews. In this period they are informed that the time is coming when those distinctions and restraints shall have no force, when the inward endowments of the soul should be sufficient to give pious persons a title to the communion of saints; and their name should be written in the book of life: A more lasting remembrance than that of the most numerous posterity. The... read more
Isaiah 56:8. The Lord God which gathereth the out-casts, &c.— In this verse a three-fold act of God is mentioned; first, his gathering together the out-casts of Israel; and then two gatherings of proselytes or strangers to be made to Israel; wherein the prophet alludes to the grand collection of the Gentiles to Jesus Christ, the great shepherd of his flock. read more
Isaiah 56:9. All ye beasts of the field— Interpreters are generally of opinion, that the beasts of the field and forest are here called upon to devour the nominal people of God, corrupted in their religion and manners; that is to say, to execute the judgments of God upon them: by which, Vitringa thinks, are pointed out the enemies of the Christian church; the Goths, Vandals, Turks, and others, who committed great devastations upon it, after it deviated from its first faith, and became extremely... read more
Isaiah 56:10-12. His watchmen— The prophet in these words paints in a lively manner the very corrupt government of the church. The consequence of which, is that deplorable state of the church described in the next section. Nothing can be more strong and expressive than the words of the prophet; he turns the subject before him into every form; and, as the greatest part of his discourse is metaphorical, he makes use of figures and emblems, as usual, most admirably adapted to express his meaning.... read more
CHAPTER 56 :-. THE PREPARATION NEEDED ON THE PART OF THOSE WHO WISH TO BE ADMITTED TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. read more
1. judgment—equity. John the Baptist preached similarly a return to righteousness, as needed to prepare men for Messiah's first coming (Luke 3:3; Luke 3:8-14). So it shall be before the second coming (Luke 3:3- :). near to come— (Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17), also as to the second coming (Isaiah 62:10; Isaiah 62:11; Luke 21:28; Luke 21:31; Romans 13:11; Romans 13:12; Hebrews 10:25). righteousness—answering to "salvation" in the parallel clause; therefore it means righteousness which bringeth... read more
2. ( :-). the man—Hebrew, enosh, "a man in humble life," in contradistinction to Hebrew, ish, "one of high rank." Even the humblest, as "the stranger" and "the eunuch" (Isaiah 56:4; Isaiah 56:6), are admissible to these privileges. this . . . it—what follows: "keeping the Sabbath," c. (Isaiah 58:13 Isaiah 58:14; Ezekiel 20:12). A proof that the Sabbath, in the spirit of its obligation, was to be binding under the Gospel (Ezekiel 20:12- :). That gospel times are referred to is plain, from the... read more
3. God welcomes all believers, without distinction of persons, under the new economy (Acts 10:34; Acts 10:35). joined . . . to . . . Lord— (Numbers 18:4; Numbers 18:7). "Proselytes." separated—Proselytes from the Gentiles were not admitted to the same privileges as native Israelites. This barrier between Jews and Gentiles was to be broken down (Ephesians 2:14-16). eunuch— (Numbers 18:7- :, c.). Eunuchs were chamberlains over harems, or court ministers in general. dry tree—barren (compare Luke... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Isaiah 56
CHAP. LVI. The prophet exhorteth to sanctification: he promiseth that it shall be accepted without respect of persons: he inveigheth against blind watchmen. Before Christ 719. THIS fifth section is doctrinal and prophetic; the doctrinal part is three-fold: The first member contains an exhortation, or divine command, to keep judgment, and to do righteousness, recommended to the people of God. The second describes the fruit to be reaped from the diligent observance of piety and love; namely,... read more