Isaiah 56:6-8
The Voice
6 And of those strangers who are not among the chosen people Israel
yet have bound themselves to the Eternal,
Attend to God, and love all that the Eternal is and does;
if they serve Him, keep the Sabbath, make good choices, and cling to the terms of the covenant,
7 I will bring them into My holy mountain where no foreigner is allowed
and give them a joyful welcome within My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will find acceptance on My altar
because My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.[a]
These words must have come as a surprise to the Hebrews. They were the called-out ones and had been commanded to keep themselves separate from their pagan neighbors. Now they hear these words of inclusion. They are told it doesn’t matter who they are or where they’ve come from or what “imperfections” they might have. Any who have bound themselves to Israel’s God—even if they’re not Israel, even if they are not “whole”—belong to Him and will enjoy all the wonders that He has in store for them. One day it will be clear that they are a sign of God’s goodness and mercy, that God’s justice is on display through their lives. They are to live as the light of God to the neighboring countries.
8 And the One who brings all Israel together, the Lord, the Eternal, declares:
Eternal One: I am not done yet. I will still gather more to this community.
Footnotes
Isaiah 56:6-8
New International Version
6 And foreigners(A) who bind themselves to the Lord
to minister(B) to him,
to love the name(C) of the Lord,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath(D) without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant—
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain(E)
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices(F)
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.(G)”(H)
8 The Sovereign Lord declares—
he who gathers the exiles of Israel:
“I will gather(I) still others to them
besides those already gathered.”
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