Isaiah 56
1This is what the Lord says:“Maintain justiceand do what is right,for my salvation is close at handand my righteousness will soon be revealed. 2Blessed is the one who does this—the person who holds it fast,who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,and keeps their hands from doing any evil.” 3Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say,“The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.”And let no eunuch complain,“I am only a dry tree.” 4For this is what the Lord says:“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,who choose what pleases meand hold fast to my covenant— 5to them I will give within my temple and its wallsa memorial and a namebetter than sons and daughters;I will give them an everlasting namethat will endure forever. 6And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lordto minister to him,to love the name of the Lord,and to be his servants,all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating itand who hold fast to my covenant— 7these I will bring to my holy mountainand give them joy in my house of prayer.Their burnt offerings and sacrificeswill be accepted on my altar;for my house will be calleda house of prayer for all nations.” 8The Sovereign Lord declares—he who gathers the exiles of Israel:“I will gather still others to thembesides those already gathered.” 9Come, all you beasts of the field,come and devour, all you beasts of the forest! 10Israel’s watchmen are blind,they all lack knowledge;they are all mute dogs,they cannot bark;they lie around and dream,they love to sleep. 11They are dogs with mighty appetites;they never have enough.They are shepherds who lack understanding;they all turn to their own way,they seek their own gain. 12“Come,” each one cries, “let me get wine!Let us drink our fill of beer!And tomorrow will be like today,or even far better.”
Study Context for Isaiah 56
As you study Isaiah 56, keep in mind the overarching themes of this old testament book: Judgment, Comfort, Messiah. Observe how the specific events or teachings in this chapter contribute to the book's broader message.
JudgmentComfortMessiah
Observation: What does Isaiah 56 reveal about the character and nature of God? What does it reveal about humanity?
Application: How does the truth presented in this chapter change how you should live, think, or pray today?
Study introductions and prompts are supplementary aids, not Scripture. They do not replace prayerful reading, the authority of Scripture, a faithful local church, or pastoral care.
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