Words in italic type have been added for clarity. They are not found in the original Hebrew or Aramaic.

Isaiah 56

What should I learn from this chapter?

• To be able to enter God’s presence, one must be spotless and without defect.
  However, because of Jesus, the worst defect in any person cannot keep one away from the kingdom of God, whether physical or spiritual.
  Ephesians 5:27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

Salvation for the Gentiles

Isaiah 56:¹ Thus says the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ):

“Keep justice, and do righteousness,
For My salvation (Jesus) is about to come,
And My righteousness to be revealed.

Isaiah 56:² Blessed is the man who does this,
And the son of man who lays hold on it;
Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath,
And keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

• Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath

Isaiah 56:³ Do not let the son of the foreigner
Who has joined himself to the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ)
Speak, saying,
“The Lord (Yᵊhōvâ) has utterly separated me from His people”;
Nor let the eunuch say,
“Here I am, a dry tree.”

• A dry tree is like a dead tree, unable to bear fruit.
• A tree is a symbol for a man.
• A eunuch is unable to bear fruit: A castrated male who is historically in charge of a harem of women.
• See: https://www.biblestudy.org/question/what-is-a-eunuch.html#google_vignette

Isaiah 56:⁴ For thus says the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ):
“To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths,
And choose what pleases Me,
And hold fast My covenant,

Isaiah 56:⁵ Even to them I will give in My house
And within My walls a place and a name
Better than that of sons and daughters;
I will give them (Lit. him) an everlasting name
That shall not be cut off.

• What is a closer relationship than a son or a daughter? A bride?

Isaiah 56:⁶ “Also the sons of the foreigner
Who join themselves to the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ), to serve Him,
And to love the name of the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ), to be His servants—
Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath (Jesus),
And holds fast My covenant—

Isaiah 56:⁷ Even them I will bring to My holy mountain,
And make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
Will be accepted on My altar;
For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

• The prophecy of bringing Gentiles to God – “All nations”.

Isaiah 56:⁸ The Lord God (‘ăḏōnāy Yᵊhōvâ), who gathers the outcasts of Israel (the scattered Jews), says,
“Yet I will gather to him
Others besides those who are gathered to him.”

Israel’s Irresponsible Leaders

Isaiah 56:⁹ All you beasts of the field, come to devour,
All you beasts in the forest.

• A beast is a wild animal, a predator, a leader who is willing to destroy the earth just to satisfy his need for power. Scripture describes two beasts that will appear during the Seven-Year tribulation: The Antichrist and the False Prophet. (Rev 13:1-10,11-18).

Isaiah 56:¹⁰ His watchmen are blind,
They are all ignorant;
They are all dumb dogs,
They cannot bark;
Sleeping (Or Dreaming), lying down, loving to slumber.

• The difference between ignorance and apathy is “I don’t know and I don’t care”.
  
• Ephesians 5:¹³ But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest IS light. ¹⁴ Therefore, He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”
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• I Peter 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Isaiah 56:¹¹ Yes, they are greedy (Lit. strong of soul) dogs
Which never have enough (Lit. do not know satisfaction).
And they are shepherds
Who cannot understand;
They all look to their own way,
Every one for his own gain,
From his own territory.

• The empty heart is one in which the more it has, the emptier it becomes.
  It is called “the Bottomless Pit”
• It is like digging a hole to fill a hole, but the hole always becomes bigger.

Isaiah 56:¹² “Come,” one says, “I will bring wine,
And we will fill ourselves with intoxicating drink;
Tomorrow will be as today,
And much more abundant.”

• An intoxicating drink day after day
  is the emptiest lure of appetites.
  It returns again to stay all day,
  and then throughout the night.
  
• Once I heard an old drunk say,
  “I can quit any time and you’re full of bunk…
  I don’t need a drink ‘cuz I’m already drunk.”
  
• The greedy love to count their gold,
  And families love their brothers,
  But a precious love therein resides,
  In one drunk for another.
  
• Ephesians 5:¹⁷ Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,