3 April 2001

Text: Isaiah 56

THE COVENANT-SALVATION OF THE LORD
(Future from Isaiah's standpoint)

"For My salvation is about to come And My righteousness to be revealed" Isa. 56:1

"BE DOERS OF THE WORD" (James 1:22)

"Blessed is the man who does this…" Isa. 56:2 1.
"Keep justice" Isa. 56:2 2.
"Do righteousness" Isa. 56:2 3.
"Keep from defiling the Sabbath" Isa. 56:2 4.
"Keeps his hand from doing evil" Isa. 56:2

RESTRICTIONS AND PROHIBITIONS IN THE OLD COVENANT REPEALED (Cf. Deut. 23)

1. Foreigners do not need to feel that they are "outsiders" Isa. 56:3, 6-7
a) Those "who join themselves to the Lord"
b) To "serve Him"
c) To "love the Name of the Lord"
d) To "be His servants"
e) Those "who keep from defiling the Sabbath"
f) Those "who hold fast My Covenant"

2. Blessings:-
a) "I will bring to My holy mountain"
b) "Make them joyful in My house of prayer"
c) "Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar"
d) "My House shall be called a House of Prayer for ALL NATIONS"

3. Eunuchs are no longer rejected Isa. 56:4-5 ( They too can be as richly blessed)
a) Those who honour the Lord and keep His Sabbaths
b) Those who choose what pleases God
c) Those who hold fast the Lord's Covenant

4. Blessings
a) "I will give in My House and within My walls a place"
b) "And a name better than that of sons and daughters…"
c) "I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off"

5. Outcasts of Israel Isa. 56:8
a) "The Lord God who gathers the outcasts of Israel…"
b) "I will gather to him others besides those who are gathered to him"

REBUKE OF THOSE WHO DO HARM Isa. 56:9-12 1.

The "beasts of the field" who come to devour- Ref. to enemies Isa. 56:9 2.
The "watchmen are blind" - Ref. to prophets and other spiritual leaders Isa. 56:10 3.
"Shepherds"- Ref. to Kings and Other rulers Isa. 56:11-12