Isaiah 56:1-2

The exhortation to righteousness is based on the nearness of Jehovah's salvation (cf. Isaiah 46:13; Isaiah 55:6). justiceshould be righteousness (as in R.V.), the same word as in the last line of the verse, but in a different sense. In the first case righteousness means conformity to the law of God (cf. Isaiah 58:2), in the second it is, as often, equivalent to salvation. The thought that salvation is near is as characteristic of the later Chapter s of this book as of chs. 40 55. (see Isaiah 57:14; Isaiah 58:8 ff., Isaiah 59:15 ff., Isaiah 60:1 ff., Isaiah 62:6 &c.), but it is equally prominent in the post-Exilic prophecies of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. The establishment of the Jews in their own land had not realised the glorious predictions connected with it in 40 55; yet the conviction remained immoveable that the final act of redemption was at hand, and was retarded only by the sin of the people.