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| A house of prayer. |
This
chapter brings the promise of return and blessing for those who seem to have no
future: the eunuch, the outcast, and those outside of the tribes of Israel. It
would seem that they have nothing to hope for but God says they will know
greater blessings than they deserve.
This
chapter ends with a curse on those who are leaders in Israel but who are
disobedient to God. They seek their own pleasure more and more but God will
cause them to see destruction. These people believe they have much to hope for
but end up having nothing.
In
the middle of these two peoples is a phrase that Jesus uses when he cleanses
the temples, my "house shall be a
house of prayer for all people" (Matthew 21:13, Mark 11:17). This scripture points to Jesus and his work
but was also a condemnation of the leaders of Israel during Jesus' time. He was
saying indirectly, the leaders of Israel were the ones
destined for destruction. The interesting fact is this is exactly what
happened. The gospel went to the outcast of Israel and to the gentiles but
Jerusalem and its elite died as if they were devoured.
Isa 56:1-12
(1) Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
(2) Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
(3) Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
(4) For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
(5) Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
(6) Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
(7) Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
(8) The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
(9) All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.
(10) His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
(11) Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
(12) Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
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