Isaiah , Sarah Barry
A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS
Passage: Isaiah 56:1~8  
Key verse: 7
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
God’s salvation is not limited to the Jews but open to anyone who grasps it by faith. Eunuchs are like dry trees with no hope of leaving a legacy, but God gives them an everlasting name if they choose to please God and hold fast to his covenant. If Gentiles commit themselves to loving God and obeying and worshiping him, they will find great joy in the LORD and will be welcomed at the altar of God. Anyone who repents and turns to the LORD is promised a place in God’s house. God wants his house to be a house of prayer for all nations. He wants to seek the lost and bring them back to him. Jesus revealed God’s heart when he said, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also.” (Jn 10:16)
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your salvation in Jesus available to anyone who comes to you by faith. Help me to welcome anyone and bring them to you.
One Word: A house of prayer for all people