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Isaiah 56

56
Joy for the Outcasts
1Yahweh says to his people:
“Promote the cause of justice!
Do what is just and right, # 56:1 Or “Cultivate righteousness.”
for soon my salvation will come
and my righteousness will be unveiled.
2Blessed is the one who will faithfully keep his commitment.
Yes, blessed is the one
who honors the Sabbath # 56:2 For believers today, our Sabbath is now a man, the Lord Jesus Christ. We rest in the finished work of the cross. We cease from our own labors and enter into his Sabbath rest. See Heb. 4. and does not disregard it,
and the one who keeps their hands from doing evil.”
3The foreigner who joins himself to Yahweh
should never say,
Because I’m a foreigner,
Yahweh will exclude me from his people.”
And the eunuchs should never say,
Because I can’t have children, I’m just a barren tree.” # 56:3 This is a figure of speech, comparing being unable to procreate to being like a withered tree. Eunuchs were forbidden to worship with God’s people (see Deut. 23:1), but God’s mercy triumphs over rejection.
4For Yahweh says to such a man,
“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,
and choose the things that honor me,
and remain true to my covenant, I make this promise:
5‘I will bestow upon them within my household # 56:5 Or “in my house and within my walls.” This becomes a figure of speech for God’s household or family, not a literal plaque in the temple.
both an honored place and an honored name,
even better than the honor that comes from having children. # 56:5 Or “a monument [memorial].” God is saying that grace is greater than our disqualifications. In spite of our imperfections, if we continue to honor God and his Word, favor will rest on our lives forever. This favor and name will endure longer than what comes from having children.
I bestow upon them my everlasting favor; # 56:5 Or “with an everlasting name.”
you will never be forgotten.’
6And to the foreigners who join themselves to Yahweh
to worship him, those who want to be his servants
and love the name of Yahweh
all who honor the Sabbath and do not disregard it,
and who remain true to my covenant—I make this promise:
7‘I will welcome you into my holy mountain # 56:7 Yahweh’s holy mountain is the Zion-realm. See Heb. 12:22–24.
and make you joyful in my house of prayer. # 56:7 God’s desire has always been to gather his people into the house of prayer. See Matt. 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46.
I will accept every sacrifice and offering
that you place on my altar,
for my house of worship will be known
as a house of prayer for all people.’ ”
8The Lord God Almighty,
who brings home the outcasts of Israel, says,
“There are many others I will gather,
and I will add them to those who are already gathered.” # 56:8 See John 17:20–24.
Corrupt Leaders
9All you wild beasts, come and devour,
you wild animals of the forest.
10Blind watchmen, all of them!
They have no revelation-knowledge;
they’re like dumb dogs that don’t even bark—
dreaming, sleeping, devoted to slumber.
11They’re greedy dogs that never eat enough.
And the shepherds have no discernment;
they follow their own desires.
Every last one of them seeks his own profit.
12Each one says, “Let’s get wine and liquor and have a party!
And tomorrow, more of the same, except even better!” # 56:12 The Septuagint omits this verse.

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Isaiah 56: TPT

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