Isaiah 56

Chap. LVI. Ver. 1—12. Exhortation to piety: and judgments on wicked rulers and teachers—Whoever partakes of the blessings of the gospel, is required to be holy in all manner of life and conversation. And he that will be so, is declared to be accepted according to this gracious dispensation, the benefits of which are extensive as the human race, without any respect to persons, or to nations. The stranger or the eunuch that obeys God’s precepts, is preferred to 34, 35. a germane of the Hebrews who neglects them. (See (Acts 10)At the 9th verse a new section of prophecy begins. “The Prophet, in the foregoing chapters, having comforted the faithful Jews with many great promises of God’s favour to be extended to them, in the restoration of their ruined state, and the enlargement of his church by the admission of the Gentiles; here, on a sudden, makes a transition to the more disagreeable part of the prospect; and to a sharp reproof of the wicked and unbelievers, and especially of the negligent and faithless governors and teachers of the idolaters and hypocrites, who would still draw down his judgments on the nations.

Probably having in view the destruction of the city

Notes on the verses

Chap. LVI. Ver. 8. Beside those that are gathered.—See margin.—That is, already gathered. e; a Ver. 10. Sleeping.—Or murmuring in their sleep, as dogs are wont to do. Ver. 12. I will fetch wine.—By this verse it appears that these greedy, were also drunken dogs; like the drunkards of Ephraim, ees xxviii. 1,