This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears.
HERE
Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of
Genesis through Ecclesiastes are
now available in hard copy for only $7.50, including shipping and handling. Requests for a book, or multiple books may be mailed with the appropriate fees to the address below.
Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
Isaiah
CHAPTER 56
1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
2 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.
Verse 1 exhorts all people, especially believers, to "BE READY!" Life is brief and unless Jesus returns, death is certain. We need to be living for Christ everyday all day.
The person who lives for Christ everyday is "blessed." The word for "blessed" is the Hebrew word 'esher, which means "how happy!"
Living FOR Christ instills a peace which passes understanding (Philippians 4:7). It carries an assurance that whatever might happen in the next moment one is PREPARED to face death knowing that he will immediately go to be with the Lord.
3 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.
4 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;
5 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.
6 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;
7 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.
8 The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
The word "stranger" (here in the Old Testament) refers to someone other than those of Hebrew origin. Anyone outside the Hebrew family was considered unable to participate in the worship of Jehovah (see Exodus 12:43, Exodus 29:33, Numbers 1:51).
Now, if a "stranger" came and JOINED the Hebrew people and exhibited a desire to become as one of them in service to the Lord, he was to become accepted by them as a brother (See Leviticus 19:34, Numbers 9:14).
What God is saying through Isaiah here is that NO ONE is exempt from being able to receive the Lord and become His spiritual child. Even "strangers" were to be accepted, cleansed and saved.
And the CHILDREN of the "strangers" were to be treated equally.
That day or time never really came in the nation of Israel. But today, through Jesus Christ, that day has certainly come!
Eunuchs were also unaccepted in the worship place during the Old Testament (see Deuteronomy 23:1). However, Jesus said some men are BORN eunuchs, some are made eunuchs by men so they would be servants, and some have made themselves eunuchs in order to become servants to God (See Matthew 19:12).
Therefore, as Isaiah says, NO ONE can say he is a "dry tree," because he can be accepted, saved and useful in the service of God!
The song "Whosoever Will May Come," is a wonderful example of this principle.
In verse 8, God promises to gather all those who are "outcasts" of the world if they will heed His call and seek Him! What a LOVING GOD!
9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.
10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
11 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.
12 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.
Almost as if in the same breath, Isaiah delivers a condemnation to fake prophets of Israel. While God is quite willing to accept those who ernestly come to Him, God will certainly destroy false prophets who are only serving for selfish purposes!
Notice Isaiah compares them to "dumb dogs," unable to bark and warn of impending danger, and all they do is SLEEP! He also compares them to "greedy dogs" who only look out for themselves!
These false prophets are worthless to God because they do not speak for Him, neither to they render aid or service to others!
God will speak more of them in the next chapter.
Please continue in Bible study with us tomorrow.
ANY person can be received by Christ, cleansed through His vicarious payment for our sins, and saved through surrender to Him as Lord.
"Whosoever heareth, shout, shout the sound!
Spread the blessed tidings all the world around.
Tell the joyful news wherever man is found, Whosoever will may come.
Whosoever will, whosoever will!
Send the proclamation over vale and hill.
'Tis a loving Father calls the wand'rer home; Whosoever will may come!"
No one is excluded from being saved!
No one is excluded from being accepted in God's "holy mountain!"