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Isaiah Chapter 56 (BBE)

minutes - words.
Isaiah 56 - A House of Prayer for All People
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1 The Lord says, Let your way of life be upright, and let your behaviour be rightly ordered: for my salvation is near, and my righteousness will quickly be seen.

2 Happy is the man who does this, and the son of man whose behaviour is so ordered; who keeps the Sabbath holy, and his hand from doing any evil.

3 And let not the man from a strange country, who has been joined to the Lord, say, The Lord will certainly put a division between me and his people: and let not the unsexed man say, See, I am a dry tree.

4 For the Lord says, As for the unsexed who keep my Sabbaths, and give their hearts to pleasing me, and keep their agreement with me:

5 I will give to them in my house, and inside my walls, a place and a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an eternal name which will not be cut off.

6 And as for those from a strange country, who are joined to the Lord, to give worship to him and honour to his name, to be his servants, even everyone who keeps the Sabbath holy, and keeps his agreement with me:

7 I will make them come to my holy mountain, and will give them joy in my house of prayer; I will take pleasure in the burned offerings which they make on my altar: for my house will be named a house of prayer for all peoples.

8 The Lord God, who gets together the wandering ones of Israel, says, I will get together others in addition to those of Israel who have come back.

9 All you beasts of the field, come together for your meat, even all you beasts of the wood.

10 His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dogs without tongues, unable to make a sound; stretched out dreaming, loving sleep.

11 Yes, the dogs are for ever looking for food; while these, the keepers of the sheep, are without wisdom: they have all gone after their pleasure, every one looking for profit; they are all the same.

12 Come, they say, I will get wine, and we will take strong drink in full measure; and tomorrow will be like today, full of pleasure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Isaiah 56 about?
It promises eunuchs and foreigners who keep the sabbath and hold to God's covenant 'an everlasting name' and a place in his house (vv.4-7), declaring 'mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people' (v.7) - a verse later quoted by Jesus in Mark 11:17.
What does Isaiah 56 promise to eunuchs?
Verses 4-5 promise eunuchs who keep the sabbath and hold fast God's covenant 'a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters...an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off' - a notable inclusion given ancient restrictions on eunuchs' standing.
What does Isaiah 56 say about Israel's watchmen?
Verses 10-11 harshly criticize the nation's leaders as blind watchmen and 'dumb dogs' that cannot bark, greedy and self-seeking shepherds who 'look to their own way, every one for his gain.'

Today's Verse

Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;

Ezekiel 17:2 | ASV

Verse Of The Day

That phrase, 'a house of prayer for all people,' is quoted directly in Mark 11:17, making a sharp contrast with the chapter's closing rebuke of Israel's watchmen as blind, silent dogs who cannot bark. The indictment of unfaithful leaders continues in Isaiah 57.