God’s Wide Open Door • 05.11.25
God’s Wide-Open Door
1. Live Righteously in Light of God’s Coming Salvation
2. Rejoice in God’s Welcome for Outsiders Who Keep Covenant
3. Beware the Danger of Unfaithful Shepherds
Manuscript:
We are beginning the final section of our walk through the book of Isaiah. Isaiah 56-66 wraps up the book with a powerful vision of what God is going to do in the future — not just for Israel, but for everyone who turns to Him. These chapters look past the return from exile and point toward a greater restoration where God brings justice, joy, and lasting peace. There’s a beautiful mix of hope and warning: God is going to make all things new, but He also calls His people to reject sin, false worship, and empty religion. His heart is to gather the humble, heal the broken, and dwell with those who love and trust Him.
Chapter 56 opens the door to that vision. It shows us who gets to be part of God’s kingdom — and the answer might surprise you. It’s not about background, status, or appearance. It’s about who loves the Lord and lives by faith. This portion of the book answers a crucial question: What kind of people will be part of God’s coming kingdom?
Who gets to belong to the people of God?
That question is still very relevant today: Does my past disqualify me? Can someone like me be fully included? What does God really want from me? Isaiah 56 gives us God’s answer, and it’s good news. Let’s dig into our text today by first reading verses 1-8:
1Thus says the Lord: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed. 2Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
3Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely separate me from his people”; and let not the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.” 4For thus says the Lord: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant,
5I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. 6 “And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant— 7these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
*The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.”
Before we unpack the details of this passage, it’s worth noticing how God frames the entire chapter — with both urgency and invitation. He’s not offering vague religious advice; He is calling His people to respond in light of something decisive: His salvation is near. And because of that, how we live — the way we think, worship, speak, and lead — really matters. So, let’s begin with the first call God gives to His people:
- Live Righteously in Light of God’s Coming Salvation
Look back and verses 1 and 2:
“Thus says the Lord: Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed.”
This is both a command and a comfort. God is saying:
“My salvation is coming soon. Therefore, live like people who belong to Me.”
This echoes Isaiah 1, where God rebuked the people for their empty religious rituals but no justice, no righteousness. In verse 17 of Isaiah 1, God commands his people to learn to do good, to seek justice. Now He calls them again — be ready.
Let’s take a moment to explore those two key words in verse 1: “Keep justice” and “do righteousness.”
In Hebrew, the word for justice is mishpat — and it doesn’t just refer to courtroom fairness. It’s the broader concept of setting things right, according to God’s revealed moral order. Mishpat means giving people what they are due — whether protection, punishment, or provision — and doing so consistently, impartially, and compassionately.
To “keep, or preserve, justice” is to uphold the structures of integrity in all areas of life:
- speaking truth even when it’s costly
- refusing to exploit others for gain
- defending the vulnerable and correcting what is wrong
- dealing fairly with employees, clients, neighbors — even enemies
- being consistent in private and public
This is God’s expectation for His people. And it’s not optional — it’s fundamental to His character and nature. Preserving justice and doing righteousness
The word for righteousness is tsedaqah, and in the Hebrew mind, righteousness is relational faithfulness to God and neighbor. It’s living in right alignment — not only in personal morality but also in how you treat others.
So when God says “do righteousness” — He’s not just saying, be a good person. He’s saying,
“Live in covenant faithfulness to Me. Let your love for Me overflow in how you live, how you speak, how you work, how you treat others.”
These two ideas — mishpat and tsedaqah — are frequently paired in Scripture.
In fact, Genesis 18:19 tells us that God chose Abraham “so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice.”
This is the biblical life of faith, not just believing with our minds but walking in trust, integrity, humility, and mercy.
And then verse 2 connects all this to Sabbath observance:
“Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
Let’s talk for a moment about what it means to “keep the Sabbath” today.
For Israel, the Sabbath (Saturday) was a covenant sign between God and His people — a holy day of rest, rooted in creation (Genesis 2) and commanded in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). It was meant to remind them that God is their provider and that they were not slaves anymore. They could stop, rest, and trust in God’s provision.
But under the New Covenant, Jesus, our Suffering Servant, has fulfilled the Sabbath. He is our Sabbath rest.
Listen to the author of Hebrews express the essence of Sabbath rest:
“for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.” Hebrews 4:10-11
We are no longer bound to a specific day — but the principle remains.
To “keep the Sabbath” today is to live in the rest of Christ, and to order our lives around delighting in and depending on God.
So how might we, as New Testament believers, “keep the Sabbath” in spirit and practice?
- We regularly gather with God’s people to worship, not out of guilt, but out of joy
- We prioritize time to rest from work and delight in God
- We regularly make space for reflection, prayer, and spiritual renewal
- We live as those who are no longer slaves to work, performance, or achievement
- And most importantly, we rest in the finished work of Christ!
Jesus invites us in Matthew 11: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…” He is the Lord of the Sabbath. And when we trust in Him, we are no longer striving to earn God’s favor — we are living from a place of grace.
So, are you “keeping Sabbath”? Not just attending a church service, but building your life around delighting in God, resting in Christ, and remembering who you are because of Him?
This is the kind of life God blesses. One that walks in righteousness, turns from evil, and rests in Him. It’s not about checking religious boxes, but about living in joyful obedience because we believe His salvation is close at hand. And as we’ll see in verse 8, this life of faith isn’t just for a select few. It’s open to anyone who will come.
Let’s read the next section again, picking back up in verse 3:
3Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely separate me from his people”; and let not the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.”
4For thus says the Lord: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, 5I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.
6 “And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant— 7these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
8The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.”
- Rejoice in God’s Welcome for Outsiders Who Keep Covenant
Notice the tone of the chapter shifts from “who should live righteously” to who gets to belong. It’s as if God anticipates the question, “But is there room for someone like me?” And His answer is stunning. Not only is there room, but there’s a place of honor and joy for all who come to Him in faith.
“Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, ‘The Lord will surely separate me from his people’; and let not the eunuch say, ‘Behold, I am a dry tree.’” (v.3)
This verse is shocking — and beautiful.
In Old Testament Israel, foreigners and eunuchs were both explicitly limited in their access to worship and covenant participation. Deuteronomy 23 stated that eunuchs were not to enter the assembly, and foreigners had to go through a lengthy process to become part of Israel’s community.
Here’s the question: Why would Isaiah bring up these two groups specifically?
Because they represent the most excluded people in Israelite society:
- The foreigner was ethnically and nationally different, an outsider by birth
- The eunuch was physically altered, either by choice, force, or circumstance,
and symbolized permanent brokenness and exclusion from family lineage and temple access
In other words, God is speaking to people who had every reason to believe they were left out. And He says: Do not say that!
“Let not the foreigner say, ‘The Lord will surely separate me…’”
“Let not the eunuch say, ‘I am a dry tree.’”
God is reaching into the hearts of those who feel invisible, excluded, disqualified, or disgraced, and He is inviting them to come. But He’s not inviting everyone indiscriminately. Notice the qualifiers:
“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant…” (v.4)
“To the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord…
to love the name of the Lord…
to be his servants…
everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it,
and holds fast my covenant…” (vv.6-7)
These are not just casual observers. These are humble, repentant people who love God, who want to obey Him, and who are choosing to leave their old identity behind in order to belong to Him. And what does God say He will do?
“I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters…” (v.5)
“These I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer…” (v.7)
“Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted…” (v.7)
This is incredible!
- To the eunuch who thought his name would be forgotten, God says: “I’ll give you something better than sons and daughters. I’ll give you a name that endures forever.”
- To the foreigner who feared being a second-class worshiper, God says: “I will bring you in. I will make you joyful in my house. Your offerings will be accepted. My house will be your house too.”
And then God gives this glorious statement: “For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” (v.7)
This line is quoted by Jesus when He clears the temple in Matthew 21. The temple had become a marketplace, full of greed, exclusivity, and corruption. The outer court (where the Gentiles, aka the foreigners, were allowed to worship) had become clogged with money changers. It was no longer a house of prayer for all peoples. It was a house of profit for a few.
Jesus flips the tables, quoting this very verse from Isaiah 56 as a declaration and a rebuke:
“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations… but you have made it a den of robbers.”
Jesus was angry because the very people God wanted to invite in were being pushed out.
Let’s pause and apply this to us today. Isaiah 56 is not just about foreigners and eunuchs; it’s about anyone who’s ever felt they are outside the love of God.
Andrew Davis wrote in the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary to summarize the first 8 verses of Isaiah 56: This section gives an amazing foretaste of the day when Christ would destroy the “dividing wall of hostility” by abolishing the “law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations” that separated Jews from Gentiles (Eph 2:14-15). The new covenant would create new people who “preserve justice and do what is right”. Declared holy though justification, they would live holy lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. Isaiah describes this in old-covenant terms—keeping the Sabbath, offering sacrifices—but these are types and shadows of the reality that is Christ (Col 2:17).
To all who think, “I’m too broken. I’ve done too much. I’ve come too late”, Isaiah 56 says that is not true. Your past doesn’t exclude you from entering God’s Kingdom.
God does not welcome people based on pedigree, but on posture.
He welcomes the one who comes humbly, who clings to the covenant, who loves the Lord and desires to obey Him. This is the gospel:
- That Christ came to bring in the outsider
- That He laid down His life so the stranger could become a son, the orphan a daughter, the eunuch a namesake, the foreigner a family member
Ephesians 2 says it clearly:
“Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ… strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Eph 2:12–13)
This is what Jesus does: He brings the far-off near.
Let’s apply this in two directions:
- To those who feel like outsiders:
- Your background does not disqualify you
- Your brokenness is not beyond God’s redemption
- If you come to Christ (trusting in Him, forsaking idols, holding fast to Him) He will not cast you out
- To those who already belong to the covenant people:
- Do we reflect God’s open heart in our own?
- Do we welcome the hurting, the broken, the different?
- Does our church feel like a place where the outsider is invited to draw near?
- Or do we subtly create categories of “insiders” and “those people”?
Church, let us never build barriers where God has opened the door wide. Let us never forget; we were once outsiders too.
If God’s house is a house of prayer for all peoples, then we want our lives and our church to sound like prayer and feel like invitation.
Because the gospel is not just for the cleaned-up; it’s for the called-out.
It’s for sinners who know they need mercy, and saints who know they still need grace.
If verses 1-8 were a warm invitation to those who long for God, verses 9-12 are a cold rebuke to those who should have been leading God’s people, but instead led them astray. Let’s finish the chapter by reading verses 9-12.
9All you beasts of the field, come to devour— all you beasts in the forest. 10His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs; they cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. 11The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all. 12“Come,” they say, “let me get wine; let us fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be like this day, great beyond measure.”
As you can see from the text, Isaiah warns the people to…
- Beware the Danger of Unfaithful Shepherds
These final verses in the chapter expose the wickedness of “Israel’s watchmen,” the leaders of the nation of Israel. This section opens with a terrifying call:
“All you beasts of the field, come to devour—all you beasts in the forest.”
This is divine sarcasm; God is summoning the wild animals, the predators of judgment, to come feast. Why? Because the shepherds, those meant to guard the flock, have failed. This is covenant language flipped on its head. In Ezekiel 34 and Jeremiah 23, God repeatedly condemns the “shepherds of Israel” who fatten themselves while neglecting the sheep. And here, Isaiah joins in that same prophetic rebuke.
Let’s look at the descriptions of these unfaithful leaders:
“His watchmen are blind…”
As “watchmen,” their job was to stay alert, discerning spiritual threats and protecting God’s people from sin, false teaching, and idolatry. They’re supposed to have vision to lead the people according to God’s divine plans, but they’re spiritually blind. They don’t see the danger. They don’t warn of judgment. They don’t perceive the schemes of the enemy.
“They are all silent dogs; they cannot bark…”
Ouch, that’s not a flattering picture. True watchmen were supposed to sound the alarm when God’s people were drifting from His ways. Like the prophets, they were meant to call for repentance and keep God’s covenant front and center. A watchdog that won’t bark is useless. It’s not loyal, it’s lazy. These leaders were content to let sin walk right into the camp without saying a word.
“They lie around and dream, they love to slumber.”
Spiritually passive. Checked out. Preoccupied with comfort.
“The dogs have a mighty appetite… They never have enough.”
Verse 11 shows they were driven by their own appetites, not by love for God’s people. They’re greedy. They’re not just lazy; they’re feeding off the flock.
They’re self-indulgent. They’re using their position to pursue pleasure and wealth rather than to serve and protect God’s people.
“They are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all.”
Verse 12 captures the spiritual apathy that sealed their doom:
“Come,” they say, “let me get wine; let us fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be like this day, great beyond measure.”
In other words: Let’s just enjoy ourselves. Nothing’s going to change. Everything’s fine.
They were drunk on comfort, distracted by pleasure, and dismissive of God’s warnings.
Verses 9-12 serve as Isaiah’s prophetic indictment of Israel’s corrupt, pre-exilic leaders:
those who prioritized self-indulgence over faithful stewardship, leading the people toward judgment. While originally aimed at leaders before the Babylonian exile, the warning transcends its historical setting, exposing a pattern of spiritual apathy and self-serving leadership that still appears in every generation.
This is a sober warning, especially for leaders. It’s a reminder that not everyone who holds a spiritual position is actually spiritually awake. Just because someone has a title doesn’t mean they are guarding the flock. And before we rush to apply this to “those bad leaders out there,” let’s remember: we all have influence.
Isaiah 56:9-12 offers a sobering picture of spiritual leaders who failed to protect and guide God’s people. In the New Testament church, God has entrusted pastors and elders to serve as faithful undershepherds to Christ: leading, guarding, and feeding the flock with humility and courage (1 Peter 5:1-4). But this call to spiritual care isn’t just for church leaders. Every believer bears responsibility for discipling others, whether as a parent, small group leader, ministry volunteer, or simply a faithful friend. God calls all of us to stay spiritually alert and to lovingly lead those He’s placed near us toward truth and godliness.
So, the question becomes: Am I a faithful shepherd… or a silent dog?
Let’s consider a few reflective questions:
Am I spiritually alert or spiritually asleep?
These leaders were asleep on the job. They were dreaming while danger crept in. So we ask ourselves:
- Am I prayerful and watchful; or passive and indifferent?
- Am I discerning about what is happening in our church, our home, our neighborhood?
- Do I regularly bring Scripture to bear on real-life issues; or do I keep my faith in a separate “Sunday-only” box?
Do I speak the truth when needed or stay silent to keep the peace?
The watchmen wouldn’t bark. The shepherds wouldn’t confront.
- Are there hard conversations I’ve avoided because I don’t want to rock the boat?
- Am I willing to call out sin in love, or do I just nod along and keep things smooth?
- When people around me are drifting spiritually, do I say anything?
Am I using my influence to serve others or to serve myself?
These shepherds turned everything toward their own gain. Let’s ask ourselves:
- When I serve in ministry, do I focus more on recognition or obedience?
- In my family, do I lead with humility or with control and convenience?
- Do I view others as burdens or blessings?
Have I assumed that “tomorrow will be just like today”?
That’s what verse 12 says. The attitude of complacency, the refusal to repent or wake up.
- Do I assume I’ll always have time to “get serious with God” later?
- Have I grown numb to the urgency of gospel ministry?
- Do I live like the world is perishing — or like we’ve got all the time in the world?
And here’s what makes this warning even more urgent: When shepherds fail, the sheep suffer.
When leaders grow corrupt, people get hurt.
When the ones who should protect become indifferent: the vulnerable get devoured.
So, this is not just about personal holiness — it’s about spiritual responsibility.
And if you’re hearing all of this and thinking, “I’ve failed. I’ve blown it. I haven’t been the shepherd God calls me to be”, here’s the good news:
There is a better Shepherd.
Where Israel’s leaders failed, Jesus succeeded.
He saw the people “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” — and He had compassion on them.
Jesus says in John 10:
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
“The hired hand sees the wolf coming and flees… but I lay down my life for the sheep.”
He didn’t abandon His post.
He didn’t silence the truth.
He didn’t feed off the flock, He fed them.
He didn’t run from judgment, He bore it in our place.
So, what do we do with Isaiah 56:9–12?
We let it shake us out of complacency.
We let it call us to greater spiritual vigilance.
And we let it point us to the One Shepherd who never fails — Jesus Christ.
- He is the watchman who sees clearly.
- He is the teacher who speaks truth.
- He is the servant who lays down His life.
- He is the King who will return to judge every false shepherd and gather every wandering sheep.
So, let’s respond in humility and resolve: “Jesus, make me a faithful under-shepherd.
Give me eyes to see, a voice to speak, hands to serve, and a heart that beats for Your people.” Amen?
The Wide-Open Door of the Gospel
Church, as we step back and take in Isaiah 56 as a whole, let’s remember the question we opened with: Who gets to belong to the people of God?
Isaiah 56 answers with stunning clarity: Anyone who comes in humility, faith, and covenant loyalty to the Lord.
But it also warns: Not everyone who claims to belong is actually living like it. There are lives that look righteous, but are hollow. There are leaders with titles, but no integrity. There are people in the community of faith who are drifting toward judgment while assuming they’re secure.
This chapter holds together invitation and accountability
hope for the outsider and warning to the indifferent
joy for the faithful remnant and judgment for the corrupt leaders.
So let me end with three calls to action, grounded in the three parts of this chapter:
- Live Righteously
Let your life reflect the character of the God who saved you. Pursue justice. Walk in integrity. Rest in Christ. Obey His Word. Not to earn salvation, but because salvation is near. “Blessed is the man who does this…”
- Embrace God’s Welcome and Extend It to Others
Maybe you’ve felt like an outsider, like your past, your story, your struggles disqualify you. Hear the voice of Jesus today: “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” He welcomed tax collectors, touched lepers, defended the broken, and called sinners by name.
If you’ve come to Him, it’s because He first opened the way for you. So don’t forget the welcome you received. Open wide your heart, your home, and your life to others. Let your life, and this church, be a “house of prayer for all peoples.”
- Stay Spiritually Alert and Shepherd Faithfully
God has entrusted you with people, whether in your home, your church, your workplace, or your friend group. Don’t sleep on your calling. Don’t silence the truth when others need to hear it. Don’t drift into comfort while others are drowning.
Let’s not be silent dogs or slumbering shepherds. Let’s be faithful, watchful, Spirit-filled people — because the Good Shepherd is coming again.
Final Gospel Reminder:
The reason any of this is possible
the reason sinners can be called saints…
the reason the outsider can come in…
the reason broken leaders can be restored…
is because Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant, laid down His life for us.
He was excluded so we could be welcomed.
He was judged so we could be forgiven.
He is the door, the way, the Shepherd, the King.
So today — hear His voice and respond:
“Come to me… Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me… and you will find rest for your souls.”
PRAYER
Let’s be a people who walk in righteousness, extend God’s welcome, and stay alert — all because we trust in the One who laid down His life to open the door for us.
Let’s pray.
shaw-mar:
to keep, guard, preserve
Gen 18:19
Promised already in
Is 46:13 – I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off,
and my salvation will not delay;
Is 51:5-6