Isaiah 56:2

Blessed is the man that doeth this

The blessedness of right-doing

“Blessed is the man that doeth this.

” It must be so, for in doing judgment and justice he in some measure resembles the blessed God, who exerciseth judgment and righteousness in the earth, and delighteth in these things. (R. Macculloch.)

Comprehensive righteousness

The duties of the first table are typified by the observance of the Sabbath; those of the second table are signified in the comprehensive expression, “That keepeth his hand that it do no evil.” (Prof. S. R. Driver,D. D.)

Sabbath-keeping

A great variety of reasons have been given for the special mention of the Sabbath here. The true explanation is afforded by a reference to the primary and secondary ends of the Sabbatical institution, and the belief involved in its observance.

1. It implied a recognition of Jehovah as the omnipotent Creator of the universe (Exodus 20:11; Exodus 31:17).

2. As the Sanctifier of His people, not in the technical or theological sense, but as denoting Him by whom they had been set apart as a peculiar people Exodus 31:13; Ezekiel 20:12).

3. As the Saviour of this chosen people from the bondage of Egypt Deuteronomy 5:15). Of these great truths the Sabbath was a weekly remembrancer, and its observance by the people a perpetual recognition and profession, besides the practical advantages accruing to the maintenance of a religious spirit by a weekly recurrence of a day of rest. (J. A. Alexander.)

Sabbath-keeping

I. THE DUTY REQUIRED. To keep the Sabbath, to keep it as a talent we are to trade with, or a treasure we are entrusted with; keep it holy, keep it safe, keep it with care and caution, keep from polluting it; allow neither yourselves nor others either to violate the holy rest nor omit the holy work of that day.

II. THE ENCOURAGEMENT WE HAVE TO DO THIS DUTY. Blessed is he that doeth it. The way to have the blessing of God upon our employments all the week is to make conscience and business of Sabbath sanctification; and in doing so we shall be the better qualified to do judgment and justice. The more godliness the more honesty (1 Timothy 2:2). (M. Henry.)

Sabbath-keeping and justice

We are not just if we rob God of His time. (M. Henry.)

Resoluteness in Sabbath observance

Those that would keep the Sabbath from polluting it must put on resolution; must not only do this, but lay hold on it, for Sabbath time is precious; but it is very apt to slip away if we take not great care; therefore we must lay hold on it, and keep our hold; must do it, and persevere in it. (M. Henry.)

The utility of the Sabbath

As the Sabbath was instituted while man was yet within the precincts of Paradise, and unseduced by the wiles of the devil, we are warranted to conclude that a day of holy rest was useful and necessary to him, even in a state of innocence; and if it was of use and advantage to him then, how much more must it be now! Man is now become so sinful, so earthly, so forgetful of God, so careless of his highest interests, that were it not for the solemnities of the Sabbath, he would speedily lose all sense of religion, and utterly neglect the salvation of his soul. (D. Rees.)

An unpolluted Sabbath

The text gives us to understand that in order to keep the Sabbath from polluting it, we must keep our hands from doing any evil. Nor can we suppose that the day is to be sanctified merely by acts of negative holiness, but also by acts of positive goodness. (D. Rees.)

Sabbaths and week-days

“That keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. The best evidence of our having kept the Sabbath well will be a care to keep a good conscience all the week. (M. Henry.)

The blessedness of keeping Gods holy day

What are we to understand by “polluting the Lord’s day?

1. This holy time is certainly thus abused when it is spent in mere idleness.

2. When it is devoted to worldly amusement.

3. By all labour which may not fairly come under the description of work of necessity and mercy. (J. N. Norton.)

Sabbath observance

A little boy was on a visit to his uncle, and when the morning of the Lord’s Day came, the uncle said, “Come, my man, you and I will go out and fish awhile! “Uncle,” answered the boy, very gravely and somewhat. .. puzzled, does God require us to fish here on Sunday at our house He doesnt allow us to do it.” The fishing excursion was given up, and good came of the child’s pointed sermon. (J. N. Norton.)