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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 56

After the exceedingly great and precious promises of gospel grace, typified by temporal deliverances, which we had in the foregoing chapter, we have here, I. A solemn charge given to us all to make conscience of our duty, as we hope to have the benefit of those promises, Isa. 56:1, 2. II. Great encouragement given to strangers that were willing to come under the bonds of the covenant, assuring them of the blessings of the covenant, Isa. 56:3-8. III. A high charge drawn up against the watchmen... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 56:1-2

The scope of these verses is to show that when God is coming towards us in a way of mercy we must go forth to meet him in a way of duty. I. God here tells us what are his intentions of mercy to us (Isa. 56:1): My salvation is near to come?the great salvation wrought out by Jesus Christ (for that was the salvation of which the prophets enquired and searched diligently, 1 Pet. 1:10), typified by the salvation of the Jews from Sennacherib or out of Babylon. Observe, 1. The gospel salvation is the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 56:3-8

The prophet is here, in God's name, encouraging those that were hearty in joining themselves to God and yet laboured under great discouragements. 1. Some were discouraged because they were not of the seed of Abraham. They had joined themselves to the Lord, and bound their souls with a bond to be his for ever (this is the root and life of religion, to break off from the world and the flesh, and devote ourselves entirely to the service and honour of God); but they questioned whether God would... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 56:9-12

From words of comfort the prophet here, by a very sudden change of his style, passes to words of reproof and conviction, and goes on in that strain, for the most part, in the three following chapters; and therefore some here begin a new sermon. He had assured the people that in due time God would deliver them out of captivity, which was designed for the comfort of those that should live when God would do this. Now here he shows what their sins and provocations were, for which God would send... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 56

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 56 This chapter contains a prophecy of the conversion of the Gentiles, and their accession to the church, and of the corrupt state of the church afterwards, especially of its rulers, which brought in men comparable to wild beasts to devour. It begins with an exhortation to the duties of judgment and justice, enforced by the nearness of Christ's salvation, and the clear relation of his righteousness in the Gospel, and by the blessedness of the man that does those... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 56:1

Thus saith the Lord, keep ye judgment, and do justice ,.... Observe the word of the Lord, which comes from the God of judgment, is the best informer of the judgment, and the only rule of faith and practice; and which should be kept in the heart, mind, and memory, be held fast, and abode by; and so likewise all the ordinances of the Lord, which are his statutes and judgments; these should be all of them kept as they were delivered, in faith, from love, and with a view to the glory of God and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 56:2

Blessed is the man that doth this ,.... That does justice, and keeps judgment; he hereby exercises a good conscience both towards God and men; he enjoys communion with God in his ways, worship, and ordinances, he attends unto, and has an evidence of his right to eternal happiness: and the son of man that layeth hold on it ; on the salvation of Christ, and his righteousness; which supposes a sense of the insufficiency of a man's own righteousness, a view of the excellency and suitableness... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 56:3

Neither let the son of the stranger ,.... A Gentile, that is so by birth, the son of one that is an alien from the commonwealth of Israel, a stranger from the covenants of promise, and so had no right to come into the congregation of the Lord under the former dispensation; but now the middle wall of partition being broken down, in the times to which this prophecy belongs, such are encouraged to expect admission: that hath joined himself to the Lord ; who, having a spiritual knowledge of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 56:4

For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths ,.... That fear and serve the Lord; religiously observe all times of divine worship, and walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord; show regard to all the institutions of the Gospel, and perform all religious exercises, private and public, on Lord's days, and at other times: and choose the things that please me ; who do that which is wellpleasing unto God, which he has declared in his word to be acceptable to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 56:5

Even to them will I give in mine house and within my walls ,.... The Targum is, "in the house of my sanctuary, and in the land of the house of my Shechinah;' meaning the temple at Jerusalem, in the land of Judea; but a Gospel church state is here meant, which is the house of God; the materials of which are true believers; the foundation Christ; the pillars and beams of it are the ministers of the word; the windows the ordinances, the door into it faith in Christ, and a profession of it;... read more

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