Isaiah , Sarah Barry
MY SALVATION IS CLOSE AT HAND
Passage: Isaiah 56:1~8  
Key verse: 14
Salvation for Others
56 This is what the Lord says:
“Maintain justice(A)
and do what is right,(B)
for my salvation(C) is close at hand
and my righteousness(D) will soon be revealed.
2 Blessed(E) is the one who does this—
the person who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath(F) without desecrating it,
and keeps their hands from doing any evil.”
3 Let no foreigner(G) who is bound to the Lord say,
“The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.”(H)
And let no eunuch(I) complain,
“I am only a dry tree.”
4 For this is what the Lord says:
“To the eunuchs(J) who keep my Sabbaths,
who choose what pleases me
and hold fast to my covenant(K)—
5 to them I will give within my temple and its walls(L)
a memorial(M) and a name
better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name(N)
that will endure forever.(O)
6 And foreigners(P) who bind themselves to the Lord
to minister(Q) to him,
to love the name(R) of the Lord,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath(S) without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant—
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain(T)
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices(U)
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.(V)”(W)
8 The Sovereign Lord declares—
he who gathers the exiles of Israel:
“I will gather(X) still others to them
besides those already gathered.”
Cross references
- Isaiah 56:1 : S Ps 11:7; S Isa 1:17; S Jer 22:3
- Isaiah 56:1 : S Isa 26:8
- Isaiah 56:1 : S Ps 85:9
- Isaiah 56:1 : Jer 23:6; Da 9:24
- Isaiah 56:2 : S Ps 119:2
- Isaiah 56:2 : S Ex 20:8, 10
- Isaiah 56:3 : S Ex 12:43; S 1Ki 8:41; S Isa 11:10; Zec 8:20-23
- Isaiah 56:3 : Dt 23:3
- Isaiah 56:3 : S Lev 21:20; Jer 38:7 fn; Ac 8:27
- Isaiah 56:4 : Jer 38:7 fn
- Isaiah 56:4 : S Ex 31:13
- Isaiah 56:5 : Isa 26:1; 60:18
- Isaiah 56:5 : S Nu 32:42; 1Sa 15:12
- Isaiah 56:5 : S Isa 43:7
- Isaiah 56:5 : S Isa 48:19; 55:13
- Isaiah 56:6 : S Ex 12:43; S 1Ki 8:41
- Isaiah 56:6 : S 1Ch 22:2; Isa 60:7, 10; 61:5
- Isaiah 56:6 : Mal 1:11
- Isaiah 56:6 : ver 2, 4
- Isaiah 56:7 : S Isa 2:2; Eze 20:40
- Isaiah 56:7 : S Isa 19:21; Ro 12:1; Php 4:18; Heb 13:15
- Isaiah 56:7 : Mt 21:13*; Lk 19:46*
- Isaiah 56:7 : Mk 11:17*
- Isaiah 56:8 : S Dt 30:4; S Isa 1:9; S 11:12; 60:3-11; Eze 34:12; Jn 10:16
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. Blessed is the one who does this... (1-2)
In view of God's coming salvation, we are called to live differently: maintaining justice and doing what is right. God blesses those who do so. With no temple or priesthood or altar, to keep the Sabbath in exile was an act of faith in God alone. It revealed trust in God and living hope in his coming salvation.
2. God's promise to foreigners and eunuchs (3-8)
Among the exiles, foreigners who believed in God may fear being excluded, and Eunuchs were not allowed in the assembly of God (Dt 23:1). Jewish law may exclude them from God's salvation, Yet God includes them, giving special promises to them, reflecting his broad heart and love. God blesses all who hold fast to his covenant by faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. He promises an eternal name to eunuchs, and will accept the sacrifice and service of foreigners. The house of our God is a house of prayer for all nations.
Prayer: Father, help me hold fast to your covenant, trusting in you alone by keeping the Sabbath.
One Word: Hope in God's coming salvation