Isaiah 56 - Introduction

The prophet exhorteth to sanctification: he promiseth that it shall be accepted without respect of persons: he inveigheth against blind watchmen.

Before Christ 719.

THIS fifth section is doctrinal and prophetic; the doctrinal part is three-fold: The first member contains an exhortation, or divine command, to keep judgment, and to do righteousness, recommended to the people of God. The second describes the fruit to be reaped from the diligent observance of piety and love; namely, blessedness; Isaiah 56:2. The third contains the extension of this promise, with respect to the subjects of every kind and order; first, general, Isaiah 56:3 secondly, special, which asserts the rights and privileges of eunuchs who obey the laws of the new covenant, Isaiah 56:4 and of strangers, Isaiah 56:6. The prophetic part contains three predictions; the first, of the remarkable amplification of the church, Isaiah 56:8 the second, of the irruption of barbarous people, who should lay waste the church, Isaiah 56:9 the third, of a remarkable corruption in the rulers of the church, as the cause of that judgment; Isaiah 56:10. For my salvation, &c. seems to allude particularly to that manifestation of the kingdom of God, which was made by his signal judgments in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.