Study
35 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 56 and 57
The
good tidings of Jehovah's purpose to bring back the exiles and to
restore Jerusalem produced many repercussions among different classes
of hearers. In the opening verses of today's portions the prophet
replies to the questionings of two special group: (1) non-Jews, who
had joined themselves to Israel (56:32, 6-8), and (2) eunuchs, who
feared God (56:3b-5. Might they also participate in the promised
deliverance? The Lord's answer is that if they fulfilled the
condition of the covenant, they would be welcome to a full share in
its blessings. In 56:9-57:14 the prophet rebukes tow other groups:
the leaders of the community in Jerusalem (56: 9-12), and those who
were openly practicing idolatry (57: 1-14). There follows a
striking description of the kind of persons with whom God will dwell,
and of His purposes of grace towards His people (57: 15-21).
- What were the spiritual conditions on which the Lord would recognize a man, whether a Jew or not, as being one of His own people? See 56:1-8. How does this anticipate the News Testament offer of the gospel to all, and how does it fall short of it? With verse 7 cf. Mt. 21:13; and with verse 8 cf. 10:16.
- What do these two chapters, and more particularly 57:15-21, teach us about God?
- Consider the sad picture in 56:9 – 57:14 of a community whose leaders were unworthy, and whose members were forsaking the Lord for idols. What warnings for ourselves may be found in it?
Notes
- 56:3b – 5. In the new community physical and racial disabilities would not longer be a ground of exclusion. Cf. Dt. 23: 1, 3-8.
- 56:10. 'Watchmen': i.e., the leaders of the community, also called 'shepherds' (verse 11). They loved ease, gain and drunken carnivals.
- 57:3. A reference to their idolatrous practices; so also in verses 7, 8.
- 57:11. 'You went on fearlessly, in faithlessness, giving no thought to me, in your indifference. Is it not so? I said no word, I hid my face from you and on you went, fearing me not.
