Isaiah 56:9-12

All ye beasts of the field, come to devour.

The defenceless condition the community owing to the incompetence of its spiritual leaders

1. All the wild beasts of the field and the forest are invited to come and devour the unprotected flock.

2. For its rulers neglect their duty; they are inefficient as dumb dogs; they are slothful, greedy, and sensual.

3. In consequence of their incapacity the righteous perish, none regarding their fate (Isaiah 57:1). (Prof. J. Skinner, D. D.)

The metaphor of wild beasts

The people being represented in the following verses as a flock, their destroyers are naturally represented here as wild beasts. (J. A. Alexander.)

That a new chastisement at the hands of the heathen is actually contemplated need not be assumed. (Prof. J. Skinner, D. D.)

The flock: its guardians and its devourers

These words (Isaiah 56:9) are to be understood as a note of warning, a sound of alarm. It is not that God wishes His flock to be devoured that He thus summons the beasts of prey to gather round the fold; on the contrary, He is concerned for their safety, and warns them of the danger in which they stand. No style of address was better fitted to startle both flock and shepherds from their careless security. God’s flock is still surrounded by ravenous beasts.

I. THE UNPROTECTED STATE OF THE FLOCK.

1. In the case before us the sheep are shamefully neglected.

2. The opposite course must tend to secure the safety and well-being of the flock. Pray, then, for your minister.

II. THE WILD BEASTS THAT THREATEN TO DEVOUR THE FLOCK. Some are open and undisguised; others are wily and insidious. Conclusion: We point you to the Chief Shepherd. (W. Guthrie, M. A.)