[Isa. 56:6] Also 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;
Join to the L-rd you Gentiles, (Jer 50:6). "My people have become lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and have forgotten their resting place. “Conditions of admission to the privileges of adoption!
Often when people feel like foreigners or outcasts, the feelings become a self-fulfilling prophecy. It is only be refusing to embrace such feelings, and choosing instead to trust in G-d's promise, that such feelings can be broken. If G-d says you belong, then you belong.
For many, this isn't good enough. They demand the recognition and honor of men. It isn't enough for G-d to give them a place and a name in His house. They must have a place and a name among men. Life is easier and more pleasant when we have a place and a name among men; but we must be able to find contentment having our place and name only with G-d.
G-d wanted His Temple - His house - to not only be a place where the Jewish people would worship Him, but to be a house of prayer for all nations. G-d wanted to expand the vision of Israel beyond her own borders, so they would know that G-d loved the perishing world and wanted them to love them also.
Three things are here promised them whom are adopted:
1. Assistance: "I will bring them to my holy mountain, not only bid them welcome when they come, but incline them to come, will show them the way, and lead them in it."
2. Acceptance: “The prayers and praises of devout Gentiles shall be as pleasing to Me as those of the pious Jews, and no difference shall be made between you; for, though you are Gentiles by birth, yet through grace you shall be looked upon as the believing seed of faithful Abraham and the praying seed of wrestling Jacob.”
3. Comfort: “They shall not only be accepted, but they themselves shall have the pleasure of it: I will make them joyful in My house of prayer. Though you came mourning to the house of prayer, you shall go away rejoicing, for you shall there find such ease, by casting your cares and burdens upon Me. You shall go away and your countenance shall be no more sad. Many a sorrowful spirit has been made joyful in the house of prayer.”
From words of comfort the prophet here, by a very sudden change of his style, passes to words of reproof and conviction.
His watchmen are blind: The leaders of G-d's people are blind; judgment is on the way, but they don't see it and warn His people. They don't fulfill their purpose as watchmen. They are ignorant, like dumb dogs, simply sleeping.
They are shepherds who cannot understand: These are unfaithful shepherds, who only look everyone for his own gain, or the gain of their personal churches.
The shepherds, who should have been the watchmen of the flock, to discover the approaches of the beasts of prey, to keep them off, and protect the sheep, were treacherous and careless, minded not their business, nor made any conscience of the trust reposed in them, and so the sheep became an easy prey to the wild beasts.
Many times believers eat their young! How many have fallen away or ran off!
They were wretchedly ignorant of their work, and very unfit to teach, being so ill-taught themselves: His watchmen are blind, and therefore utterly unfit to be watchmen. If the seers see not, who shall see for us? If the light that is in us be darkness, how great is that darkness!
What little knowledge they had they made no use of it; no one was the better for it. As they were blind watchmen, that could not discern the danger, so they were dumb dogs that would not give warning of it. And why are the dogs set to guard the sheep if they cannot bark to waken the shepherd? They fill their selves with intoxicating drink: Worse than being passively ignorant and blind, they are actively wicked. As judgment approaches, they simply drink and get drunk in their own success. Tomorrow will be as today, and much more abundant: Their blind faith in progress has replaced a reasoned faith in G-d. They are ripe for judgment, and unprepared for judgment. Since the picture of Isaiah 56:9 relates to the pictures in the Book of Revelation regarding the return of Y’Shua, we can see this as a picture of the leaders of the unprepared world - perhaps even the unprepared church - at the return of the Messiah. “But boast not thyself of to-morrow when perhaps this night thy soul shall be required of thee.”
If you have been adopted into the family of G-d, you receive all G-d’s promises. You are included in to celebrate His entire appointed Feast. You are subject to follow all the Noahide Laws. When you are adopted you are to follow everything He has written and spoken. What better family could you find to be adopted into?
Enjoy the privileges of adoption!
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