Matthew Henry Commentary Isaiah 56
Matthew Henry Commentary
Isaiah 56
Matthew Henry Commentary
Isaiah 56
"Neither let the foreigner, that hath joined himself to Jehovah, speak, saying, Jehovah will surely separate me from his people; neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus saith Jehovah of the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and hold fast my covenant: Unto them will I give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters; I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. Also the foreigners that join themselves to Jehovah, to minister unto him, and to love the name of Jehovah, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and holdeth fast my covenant; 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 my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. The Lord Jehovah, who gathereth the outcasts of Israel, saith, Yet will I gather [others] to him, besides his own that are gathered." — Isaiah 56:3-8 (ASV)
Unbelief often suggests things to discourage believers, against which God has expressly guarded. Spiritual blessings are unspeakably better than having sons and daughters; for children are a care and may prove a grief and shame, but the blessings we partake of in God's house are comforts that cannot be made bitter. Those who love the Lord truly will serve Him faithfully, and then His commandments are not burdensome.
Three things are promised. Assistance: I will not only welcome them but also incline them to come. Acceptance and comfort: though they came mourning to the house of prayer, they shall go away rejoicing. They shall find ease by casting their cares and burdens upon God.
Many a sorrowful spirit has been made joyful in the house of prayer. The Gentiles shall be one body with the Jews, so that, as Christ says (John 10:16), there may be one fold and one Shepherd. Thanks be to God that none are separated from Him except by willful sin and unbelief; and if we come to Him, we shall be accepted through the sacrifice of our great High Priest.
"All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, [yea], all ye beasts in the forest. His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, the dogs are greedy, they can never have enough; and these are shepherds that cannot understand: they have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter. Come ye, [say they], I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to-morrow shall be as this day, [a day] great beyond measure." — Isaiah 56:9-12 (ASV)
Desolating judgments are called for; and this severe rebuke of the rulers and teachers of the Jewish church is applicable to other ages and places. It is bad with a people when their shepherds slumber and are eager for the world. Let us pray to the Great Shepherd to send us pastors after His own heart, who will feed us with knowledge, that we may rejoice in His holy name, and that believers may be daily added to the church.
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