Isaías 56

1 ASI dijo Jehová: Guardad derecho, y haced justicia: porque cercana está mi salud para venir, y mi justicia para manifestarse.

2 Bienaventurado el hombre que esto hiciere, y el hijo del hombre que esto abrazare: que guarda el sábado de profanarlo, y que guarda su mano de hacer todo mal.

3 Y el hijo del extranjero, allegado á Jehová, no hable diciendo: Apartaráme totalmente Jehová de su pueblo. Ni diga el eunuco: He aquí yo soy árbol seco.

4 Porque así dijo Jehová á los eunucos que guardaren mis sábados, y escogieren lo que yo quiero, y abrazaren mi pacto:

5 Yo les daré lugar en mi casa y dentro de mis muros, y nombre mejor que el de hijos é hijas; nombre perpetuo les daré que nunca perecerá.

6 Y á los hijos de los extranjeros que se allegaren á Jehová para ministrarle, y que amaren el nombre de Jehová para ser sus siervos: á todos los que guardaren el sábado de profanarlo, y abrazaren mi pacto,

7 Yo los llevaré al monte de mi santidad, y los recrearé en mi casa de oración; sus holocaustos y sus sacrificios serán aceptos sobre mi altar; porque mi casa, casa de oración será llamada de todos los pueblos.

8 Dice el Señor Jehová, el que junta los echados de Israel: Aun juntaré sobre él sus congregados.

9 Todas las bestias del campo, todas las bestias del monte, venid á devorar.

10 Sus atalayas ciegos son, todos ellos ignorantes; todos ellos perros mudos, no pueden ladrar; soñolientos, echados, aman el dormir.

11 Y esos perros ansiosos no conocen hartura; y los mismos pastores no supieron entender: todos ellos miran á sus caminos, cada uno á su provecho, cada uno por su cabo.

12 Venid, dicen, tomaré vino, embriaguémonos de sidra; y será el día de mañana como este, ó mucho más excelente.

Isaías 56 Commentary

Chapter 56

A charge to keep the Divine precepts. (1,2) Blessings promised. (3-8) Reproof to the careless watchmen, the teachers and rulers of the Jews. (9-12)

Verses 1-2 The Lord tells us what are his expectations of duty from us. Be honest and just in all dealings. Also strictly observe the sabbath day. To have the blessing of God upon employments all the week, make conscience of keeping the sabbath holy. Have nothing to do with sin. Blessed is the man that keeps his hand from all things displeasing to God and hurtful to his own soul. Those who, through the Spirit, wait for the hope of righteousness by faith, will be found walking in ways of holy obedience.

Verses 3-8 Unbelief often suggests things to discourage believers, against which God has expressly guarded. Spiritual blessings are unspeakably better than having sons and daughters; for children are a care, and may prove a grief and shame, but the blessings we partake of in God's house, are comforts which cannot be made bitter. Those who love the Lord truly, will serve him faithfully, and then his commandments are not grievous. Three things are promised. Assistance: I will not only bid them welcome, but incline them to come. Acceptance, and comfort: though they came mourning to the house of prayer, they shall go away rejoicing. They shall find ease by casting their cares and burdens upon God. Many a sorrowful spirit has been made joyful in the house of prayer. The Gentiles shall be one body with the Jews, that, as Christ says, ( John 10:16 ) , there may be one fold and one Shepherd. Thanks be to God that none are separated from him except by wilful sin and unbelief; and if we come to him, we shall be accepted through the sacrifice of our great High Priest.

Verses 9-12 Desolating judgments are called for; and this severe rebuke of the rulers and teachers of the Jewish church, is applicable to other ages and places. It is bad with a people when their shepherds slumber, and are eager after the world. Let us pray the Great Shepherd to send us pastors after his own heart, who will feed us with knowledge, that we may rejoice in his holy name, and that believers may be daily added to the church.

Chapter Summary

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 duties, and lays hold on those blessings, and observes the whole of religion, instituted and moral, Isa 56:1,2, when encouragement is given to eunuchs, and strangers or Gentiles, sensible and religious persons, to hope for acceptance with God, and that they shall be welcome to his house, with an answer to their objections, and promises of special favours, Isa 56:3-7 to which is subjoined a promise or prophecy of future additions, both of Jews and Gentiles, to the church of God in the latter day, Isa 56:8 and then follows a call upon some savage people, comparable to wild beasts, to come and devour, which will be previous to the above prophecy, Isa 56:9, the reason of which is the sad corruption of the rulers of the church, their ignorance, negligence, avarice, and drunkenness, Isa 56:10-12.