Isaías 56

1Thus saith the LORD , Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

2Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.

ex 31:13,16

Deus ordenou ao povo que descansasse e que o honrasse no dia de repouso (Exo 20:8-11). Quer que o sirvamos todos os dias, mas quer que apartemos um especial no que descansemos e concentremos nossos pensamentos no. Para os israelitas, este dia especial era o sabat (sábado). Alguns cristãos apartam na sábado como dia especial, mas a maioria aceita no domingo (o dia da semana em que Jesus ressuscitou dos mortos) como o "Dia do Senhor", um dia de descanso e honra a Deus.

3Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD , speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

Isaías proclamou com claridade a mensagem radical das bênções de Deus para todas as pessoas, inclusive para estrangeiros e eunucos, quem freqüentemente se excluía da adoração e nem sequer os consideravam cidadãos no Israel. Qualquer que seja sua raça, posição social, trabalho ou situação financeira, as bênções de Deus são iguais tanto para você como para qualquer outra pessoa. Nenhum pode excluir de nenhuma forma aos que Deus decidiu incluir.

4For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;

5Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

6Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD , to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD , to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

7Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Jesus citou este versículo quando expulsou aos cambistas fora do templo (Mar 11:17). Veja-a segunda nota a Mar 11:15-17.

8The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.

9All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea , all ye beasts in the forest.

10His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

11Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.