THE HAPPY SABBATH-KEEPER“Blessed is the man … that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it.” Isaiah 56:2 I. The sabbath is ‘polluted’ when it is spent in mere idleness. II. When it is devoted to worldly amusement. III. By all labour which may not fairly come under the description of works of necessity and mercy. read more
Isaiah 56-66. Yahweh’s Deliverance. As we approach this last section it should perhaps be noted that the dividing point between 40-55 and 56-66 is to some extent arbitrary and used for convenience. There is no specific point of separation. Chapter 55 moves on into chapter 56. This being said this section of Isaiah is built around the theme of faithfulness to the everlasting covenant mentioned in Isaiah 55:3, and of response (or lack of response) to God’s saving purposes. One important aspect... read more
The Welcome Given To Eunuchs and Strangers To Enter Fully Into the House of Yahweh (Isaiah 56:1-8 ). God’s true people are to live in readiness for the day of deliverance (Isaiah 56:1 b), and one day when His deliverance comes (Isaiah 56:1), as a result of the work of the Servant (Isaiah 53:1-12), and as a result of the establishing of the everlasting covenant (Isaiah 55:3), full and uninhibited worship in the temple of Yahweh will be available to all who long to engage in such worship,... read more
The Present Condition of the Leadership and the People (Isaiah 56:9-12 ). In total contrast with Yahweh, Who welcomes the righteous whatever their physical status, (but only the righteous), are the leadership of Israel. They allow in those who are like brute beasts, and this is because they themselves are blind and without discernment. They are like watchdogs who have lost their bark (and thus cannot warn of intruders) and are asleep. Worse, they are simply greedy for gain. They are too taken... read more
Isaiah 56:1-Ruth : . A Gracious Promise to Proselytes and Eunuchs.— We find ourselves conscious in this oracle of a change of atmosphere and setting. The Temple is built, and the centre of an elaborate ritual. Refraining from evil and sabbath-keeping are equally yoked. We pass now to the oracles of “ Trito-Isaiah.”An exhortation to hold fast the ordinances of religion (“ judgement” ), based upon the imminence of Yahweh’ s vindicating intervention (“ my righteousness” ), is followed by a... read more
Isaiah 56:9 to Isaiah 57:2 . A Denunciation of the Rulers of the Community.— This oracle seems not to be connected with the preceding, though, it arises out of the same circumstances.Yahweh bids the beasts of prey ( cf. Jeremiah 12:9), hostile nations, ravage the flock, since the watchdogs are not alert, but crouched in the slumber of gluttons. Vividly then one of the rulers is introduced, inviting his fellows to a drunken orgy ( cf. Amos 6:6), and gloating over a like prospect for the... read more
ISAIAH CHAPTER 56 Blessedness of the godly, without any respect of persons, Isaiah 56:1-8. Blind watchmen shall be destroyed, Isaiah 56:9-12. read more
This verse and the rest of this chapter, until verse 9, seems to belong to the foregoing prophecy. From the consideration of God’s promises made to them he moveth them to perform their duty to him. Keep ye judgment, and do justice: this phrase elsewhere signifies the duties which one man oweth to another, but here it seems to signify the duties which men owe to God, as it is explained in the following verses. My salvation; that eminent salvation by the Messiah, so largely promised and insisted... read more
Blessed is the man; every man, not only Jews, but Gentiles, or strangers, as it is explained in the following verses. That were this; judgment and justice, mentioned Isaiah 56:1. That layeth hold on it; or, that holdeth it fast; that is resolute and constant in so doing; that not only begins well, but perseveres in it. That keepeth the sabbath, from polluting it; that guardeth the sabbath from profanation, and doth not defile it, either by forbidden practices, or by the neglect of commanded... read more
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G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 56:1-12
This division ends with two chapters (56 and 57) which set forth certain aspects of the administration of the Kingdom. The first is intended to comfort those who by recent promises of restoration made to the people of God were likely to be discouraged. Strangers would say, "The Lord will surely separate me from His people," and, in view of the hope of the growth of the nation, the eunuch would declare, "Behold, I am a dry tree." Both these are comforted. To the latter is promised a memorial... read more