Isa 56: The fulfillment of Isa 55:6,7: "Seek the LORD": now
eunuchs and Gentiles seek the LORD at Jerusalem...
MY SALVATION IS CLOSE AT HAND: The gospel = the power
of God unto salvation (Rom 1:16,17) -- to Jew AND to Gentile!
Isa 56:3
The "foreigner who has bound himself to the LORD" (Isa 56:3)
suggests the Gibeonites, willing to be hewers of wood and drawers of water (Jos
9:27). "There are indications that in Hezekiah's time the temple staff of such
Nethinim -- that is, those given or appointed to service of Yahweh -- was
augmented by the capture of Assyrian and Egyptian prisoners, and also by the
gifts of slaves which neighboring countries sent to Hezekiah after the Assyrian
overthrow (Isa 14:1-3; 45:14; 18:7; 2Ch 32:23; Psa 76:11)" (WIsa).
THE LORD WILL SURELY EXCLUDE ME FROM HIS PEOPLE: As in
Deu 23:3. But cp the eunuch's question: "What hinders me?" (Act 8:36).
EUNUCH: Christ was a "eunuch" (Isa 53:8)!
I AM ONLY A DRY TREE: But God makes the dry tree to
flourish (Eze 17:24; Psa 52:8), while unfruitful Israel is caused to wither away
(Mar 11:17,20).
Isa 56:4
PLEASES... HOLD FAST: Heb "chaphets" (as in Hephzibah)
and "chazaq" (as in Hezekiah).
Isa 56:5
AN EVERLASTING NAME: Implying resurrection.
Isa 56:6
FOREIGNERS: The Ethiopian eunuch (Act 8) was a
foreigner as well as a eunuch.
Isa 56:7
A HOUSE OF PRAYER: Not just a house where prayer is
offered -- which is true enough -- but also a "house" (a spiritual house) built
up by and consisting of prayers offered by many individuals. With our prayers we
"build" this "house" in which God dwells.
ALL NATIONS: Not just Gentiles along with Jews, but
"eunuchs" as well (v 4)!
Isa 56:8
I WILL GATHER STILL OTHERS: "Other sheep, not of this
fold" (Joh 10:16).
Isa 56:9
Even in the midst of Hezekiah's stirring reforms, there is
described here the utter corruption of priests and prophets. This carries on
into Isa 57, with descriptions of the gross Canaanite idolatries (introduced by
Ahaz).
COME, ALL YOU BEASTS OF THE FIELD: One of the
consequences of Israel's rejection of God was the bringing of Gentile "beasts"
upon the nation. Cp Jer 12:9.
Isa 56:10
The "watchmen" of Israel: blind, ignorant, dumb, slumbering,
drunken.
DOGS: Cp the grievous wolves, not sparing the flock
(Act 20:29-31).
Isa 56:11
EACH SEEKS HIS OWN GAIN: "Hirelings" -- not shepherds
-- of the flock (Joh 10:13).