Isaiah 56:1-9

1 haec dicit Dominus custodite iudicium et facite iustitiam quia iuxta est salus mea ut veniat et iustitia mea ut reveletur

2 beatus vir qui facit hoc et filius hominis qui adprehendit istud custodiens sabbatum ne polluat illud custodiens manus suas ne faciat omne malum

3 et non dicat filius advenae qui adheret Domino dicens separatione dividet me Dominus a populo suo et non dicat eunuchus ecce ego lignum aridum

4 quia haec dicit Dominus eunuchis qui custodierint sabbata mea et elegerint quae volui et tenuerint foedus meum

5 dabo eis in domo mea et in muris meis locum et nomen melius a filiis et filiabus nomen sempiternum dabo eis quod non peribit

6 et filios advenae qui adherent Domino ut colant eum et diligant nomen eius ut sint ei in servos omnem custodientem sabbatum ne polluat illud et tenentem foedus meum

7 adducam eos in montem sanctum meum et laetificabo eos in domo orationis meae holocausta eorum et victimae eorum placebunt mihi super altari meo quia domus mea domus orationis vocabitur cunctis populis

8 ait Dominus Deus qui congregat dispersos Israhel adhuc congregabo ad eum congregatos eius

9 omnes bestiae agri venite ad devorandum universae bestiae saltus

Isaiah 56:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

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.