Isaiah 56 - Meaning, Themes & Application

" Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. "

Isaiah 56:1 means God is telling His people to live rightly because He is about to act and bring help. “Keep judgment and do justice” …

" 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. "

Isaiah 56:2 means God blesses those who take His ways seriously—honoring His set-apart time and refusing to do what’s wrong. Today, this looks like protecting …

" 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. "

Isaiah 56:3 means God welcomes anyone who comes to Him, no matter their background, past, or physical limitations. Foreigners and eunuchs were once excluded, but …

" 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; "

" 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. "

" 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; "

Isaiah 56:6 means God welcomes anyone—no matter their background—who chooses to follow Him, love His name, and live by His ways. It shows that faith …

" 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. "

Isaiah 56:7 means God welcomes all people who sincerely seek Him, no matter their background. He promises joy in His presence and accepts their worship. …

" The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered "

Isaiah 56:8 means God welcomes people others might reject or overlook. He promises to gather not only Israel, but “others” too—outsiders, foreigners, the lonely, and …

" All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. "

Isaiah 56:9 is a warning that danger is coming because Israel’s leaders are not doing their job. God pictures enemy nations like wild animals ready …

" His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. "

Isaiah 56:10 warns that leaders who should protect and guide God’s people are instead lazy, unaware, and silent about danger. “Blind watchmen” ignore sin and …

" 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. "

Isaiah 56:11 warns about leaders who are selfish, never satisfied, and focused only on their own profit instead of caring for people. It means God …

" 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. "

Isaiah 56:12 warns about people who ignore God and chase constant pleasure, assuming tomorrow will be just as easy and fun. It shows a careless, …