A CALL TO RIGHTEOUS LIVING AND

EARMARKS OF FAILED LEADERSHIP

ISAIAH 56

The hope of a coming Messianic Kingdom revealed in the words, “For my salvation is near,” calls for an incentive to do justice.  The nation of Israel had gone into captivity because she had disobeyed the law of God in keeping the fourth commandment: “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)  The prophet Jeremiah in chapter 17:19-27 made it clear that, “They obeyed not, neither inclined their ear” to obey this command when living in the land.  Even after they returned from Babylonian captivity, the Jews violated the Sabbath (Nehemiah 13:15-22) following the invitation of Isaiah 55:1, “Ho, everyone come,” as the millennium kingdom is established, the Sabbath will once again be a part of worship.  In every age taking a special time each week to remember the Lord and worship Him helps us obey His will.

In Deuteronomy 23:1, a person who had been physically emasculated could not be a member of the congregation of Israel.  The handicapped, the strangers, and all outcasts are invited to accept God’s gracious love and be placed in a position better than that of sons and daughters.  During the reign of Messiah on earth, a security that is everlasting, is offered to all who with a new heart love the name of the Lord and keep the Sabbath.  It was God’s original intention that the Temple was for all people to be used as a house of prayer, irrespective of race, tongue, class or condition.  Jesus used the words of Isaiah 56:7, “A house of prayer for all people,” when He drove the merchants from the Temple in Luke 19:46 and Matthew 21:13.  Isaiah 56:8 makes it clear the Lord will add to His flock from among the nations, and with this John 10:16 agrees.

Isaiah 56:9-12 is a rapid transition from a vision of the millennium to a biting sarcasm of Israel’s leadership seen as blind, dumb and greedy dogs.  The spokesman of God expresses his indignation against the self-indulgent and greedy leaders.  The prophets, priest, and rulers should have led people to turn to God in repentance and faith.  Isaiah calls them “Blind watchmen” who that could not see the enemy coming and “sleeping dogs” who could not bark a warning even if they were awake.  These so-called spiritual leaders love to sleep; and when they were awake, they loved to eat and drink.  Spiritual leaders are to awake to the dangers that threaten God’s people and shepherds who put the care of the flock of God ahead of their own desires.  The sad truth is that if Isaiah were alive today, he would in many cases be writing the same message to those self-indulgent ministers who dot the landscape of t.v. and mega church programs of our day.  The call to every child of God is to keep your eyes on the one who will never let you down, our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul’s direction in Philippians 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ,” is still the goal on which to focus our living