Isaiah, chapter 56
Isaiah, Part 3: Warnings and Promises for God's New People after the Exile
The final section of Isaiah (56–66) focuses on the people of God living in the city of Jerusalem. The people are challenged to turn away from idols and obey God's commands, especially the command to bring justice to all people (59.7-15; 61.1-3). Promises of God's new creation (65.17-25) are mixed with threats of punishment for those who reject the Lord and the Lord's Law (65.1-16).
Other nations will become part of God's people. Israel and its leaders are told to be examples to the nations by living according to the Lord's commands and treating all people with fairness and justice.
All Nations Will Be Part of God's People
he Lord said: Be honest and fair!
Soon I will come to save you;
my saving power will be seen everywhere on earth.
2I will bless everyone who respects the Sabbath
and refuses to do wrong.
3Foreigners who worship me must not say,
“The Lord won't let us be part of his people.”
Men who are unable to become fathers must no longer say,
“We are dried-up trees.”
4To them, I, the Lord, say:
Respect the Sabbath, obey me completely,
and keep our agreement.
5Then you will be like monuments in my temple
with your names written on them.
This will be much better than having children,
because these monuments will stand there forever.
6Foreigners will follow me. They will love me
and worship in my name;
they will respect the Sabbath and keep our agreement.
7I will bring them to my holy mountain,
where they will celebrate in my house of worship.
Their sacrifices and offerings will always be welcome
on my altar.
Then my house will be known as a house of worship
for all nations.
8I, the Lord, promise to bring together my people
who were taken away, and let them join the others.
God Promises To Punish Israel's Leaders
9Come from the forest, you wild animals!
Attack and gobble up your victims.
10You leaders of Israel should be watchdogs,
protecting my people.
But you can't see a thing, and you never warn them.
Dozing and daydreaming are all you ever do.
11You stupid leaders are a pack of hungry and greedy dogs
that never get enough.
You are shepherds who mistreat your own sheep
for selfish gain.
12You say to each other, “Let's drink till we're drunk!
Tomorrow we'll do it again.
We'll really enjoy ourselves.”