God’s Guiding Word: Hope
Introduction
Isaiah 56:1–8: Other nations will become part of God’s people. Israel and its leaders—and the foreigner and the eunuch—are told to be examples to the nations by living according to the LORD’s commands and treating all people with fairness and justice.
Today’s Key Verse: Isaiah 56:7b
[The LORD says:] “My Temple will be called a house of prayer for the people of all nations.”
Reading
56 The LORD says to his people, “Do what is just and right, for soon I will save you. 2 I will bless those who always observe the Sabbath and do not misuse it. I will bless those who do nothing evil.”
3 A foreigner who has joined the Lord’s people should not say, “The Lord will not let me worship with his people.”
A man who has been castrated should never think that because he cannot have children, he can never be part of God’s people. 4 The Lord says to such a man, “If you honor me by observing the Sabbath and if you do what pleases me and faithfully keep my covenant, 5 then your name will be remembered in my Temple and among my people longer than if you had sons and daughters. You will never be forgotten.”
6 And the LORD says to those foreigners who become part of his people, who love him and serve him, who observe the Sabbath and faithfully keep his covenant: 7 “I will bring you to Zion, my sacred hill, give you joy in my house of prayer, and accept the sacrifices you offer on my altar. My Temple will be called a house of prayer for the people of all nations.”
8 The Sovereign LORD, who has brought his people Israel home from exile, has promised that he will bring still other people to join them.
Reflect
Zion, God’s “sacred hill” (verse 7) refers to the hill on which the Temple stood. Castrated men were once excluded from the Temple (Deuteronomy 23:1). What does God promise them now (verses 3–5)? What promise and instruction is given in verses 6–8 “to those foreigners who become part of [the LORD’s] people?” In what ways does your community of faith invite and welcome people to join you for worship and fellowship?
Pray
Lord God, you are a welcoming God, inviting all people to become part of your people. Open my heart to welcome those I meet, extending your kingdom of love and keeping your covenant. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Psalm 16: A prayer of confidence in God.