Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Isaiah
Book: Isaiah
Chapter: 56
Overview:
A charge to keep the Divine precepts.
(1,2) Blessings
promised.
(3-8) Reproof to the careless watchmen, the teachers
and rulers of the Jews.
(9-12)
1,2 The
Lord tells us what are his expectations of duty from
us. Be honest and just in all dealings. Also strictly observe
the
Sabbath Day. To have the blessing of
God upon employments
all the
Week, make
Conscience of keeping the
Sabbath holy. Have
nothing to do with
Sin. Blessed is the
Man that keeps his
Hand
from all things displeasing to
God and hurtful to his own soul.
Those who, through the
Spirit, wait for the
Hope of
Righteousness By Faith, will be found walking in ways of holy
obedience.
3-8 Unbelief often suggests things to discourage believers,
against which
God has expressly guarded. Spiritual blessings are
unspeakably better than having sons and daughters; for children
are a care, and may prove a grief and shame, but the blessings
we partake of in
God's
House, are comforts which cannot be made
Bitter. Those who
Love the
Lord truly, will serve him
faithfully, and then his
Commandments are not grievous. Three
things are promised. Assistance: I will not only bid them
welcome, but incline them to come. Acceptance, and comfort:
though they came mourning to the
House of
Prayer, they shall go
away rejoicing. They shall find ease
By casting their cares and
burdens upon
God. Many a sorrowful
Spirit has been made joyful
in the
House of
Prayer. The
Gentiles shall be one body with the
Jews, that, as
Christ says, Joh 10:16, there may be one
Fold
and one
Shepherd. Thanks be to
God that none are separated from
him except
By wilful
Sin and unbelief; and if we come to him, we
shall be accepted through the
Sacrifice of our great High
Priest.
9-12 Desolating judgments are called for; and this severe
rebuke of the rulers and teachers of the Jewish
Church, is
applicable to other ages and places. It is bad with a people
when their shepherds slumber, and are eager after the world. Let
us pray the Great
Shepherd to send us pastors after his own
Heart, who will feed us with knowledge, that we may rejoice in
his holy name, and that believers may be daily added to the
Church.