Verse 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 practicing justice and righteousness does not accomplish salvation. They should be its consequence; they cannot be its cause (cf. Romans 12:1-2).
"We would indeed be blind not to observe that Isaiah 56:1 reflects precisely where the church stands today: looking back to the once-for-all redemption at Calvary (Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:12) and awaiting a final divine act which will rescue the church from sin, failure and opposition and deal finally with any and every counterforce." [Note: Motyer, p. 462.]
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