The basis of acceptance and blessing 56:1-8This transitional pericope introduces the problem that the previous sections of the book posed, which I have tried to explain just above. It also begins the explanation of the solution by placing in stark contrast two opposing views of what pleases God: simply being a child of Abraham, versus living in loving obedience to God. read more
Ethical conduct will result in divine blessing. Profaning the Sabbath and doing evil are the opposite of preserving justice and doing righteousness. They represent specific acts of obedience (observing the Sabbath) and an attitude toward life (doing good). By refraining from work on the Sabbath, the Israelites expressed trust that God would provide for their needs as He promised. Next to circumcision, keeping the Sabbath was the central sign of the Mosaic Covenant (cf. Exodus 31:13-17; Ezekiel... read more
In view of the priority of heartfelt obedience over mere ritual observance of the Law, the foreigner and eunuch, for example, should not feel hopeless, i.e., considering themselves lifeless or fruitless. All who genuinely seek the Lord (Isaiah 55:6) would find acceptance by Him, even though they might not qualify for participation in the cultic worship of Israel (cf. Exodus 12:48-49).God’s exclusion of foreigners and eunuchs from Israel’s public worship (Deuteronomy 23:1-8) was not because... read more
The prophet prefaced his shocking explanation of the spiritual acceptability of ritually unacceptable people with, "For thus says Yahweh." This was not just his opinion but divine revelation.The Lord would give eunuchs who obeyed Him out of love: an eternal reputation, far greater than what they would have had if they had not obeyed Him, but instead had borne children to perpetuate their reputations on the earth. The Lord’s perpetuation of the Ethiopian eunuch’s reputation in Acts 8:27-39 is... read more
Similarly, God would bless foreigners (non-Israelites) who came to believe in Yahweh, and sought to love and follow Him for His sake rather than for personal benefit (cf. Ruth 1:16). They could serve the Lord by ministering to Him. The Hebrew word translated "minister," sharet, usually describes priestly service (cf. Isaiah 60:7; Isaiah 60:10; Isaiah 61:6). Foreigners might even serve the Lord in ways that would be as significant as serving as priests in Israel, though that particular ministry... read more
With an unusually strong declaration (cf. Isaiah 1:24), sovereign Yahweh affirmed that He would gather many other Gentiles to Himself along with the Israelites (cf. Isaiah 19:25; Isaiah 49:6-7; Isaiah 51:5; Isaiah 55:5; John 10:16). He would not save only Israelites, but Gentiles as well. The new revelation, or mystery, concerning the relationship of Jews and Gentiles in the church (Ephesians 2-3), was not that God would save Gentiles as well as Jews. It was that in the church He would deal... read more
Isaiah summoned the beastly enemies of Israel to come and feed on the flock of God’s people (cf. Jeremiah 12:9; Ezekiel 34:5; Ezekiel 34:8). read more
The basis of rejection and cursing 56:9-57:13Whereas heartfelt love for and trust in the Lord make anyone acceptable to Him, reliance on one’s position or ability for acceptance will not. read more
The false prophets, who were God’s watchmen over His flock, were blind to the dangers that faced Israel (cf. Isaiah 21:6; Isaiah 52:8). They were like dogs that should have barked when danger approached but were silent. Instead of being on guard, they were asleep, dreaming of an unrealistically rosy future for the nation. They were unaware of those things that should have gripped their attention."When the minister does not warn the flock of false doctrine, he ceases to be a faithful... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 56:1
This pericope flows smoothly out of the previous section of the book dealing with God’s provision of salvation for Israel and the world. The Lord had more to say to Isaiah’s audience: "Thus says the LORD."Since His salvation was about to appear, in return from captivity and in the atoning work of the Servant, His people should practice justice and righteousness (cf. Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; Titus 3:8). They had a responsibility beyond just believing His promises (chs. 54-55). Notice that... read more