Interestingly, Adonai brings everyone under the same roof as it were, by offering salvation to
all. He addresses both Jew and Gentile in the same chapter, and in various forms,
calls all to turn to Him. He (Adonai) lovingly personalises His invitation by
making relevant promises to each person’s circumstance. By this, Adonai hints at His ultimate goal, being the establishment of a nation that lives as one people, under His authority.
Although the passage refers to what seems to be future
promises for gentiles, the use of references to burnt offerings, sacrifices and
covenant, (V6-V7) suggest that this is a
combination of promises for both pre and post Jesus’s times. These promises
seem to be dependent on the following: 1 One must observe justice, 2 keep
Shabbat 3 don’t do evil 4 hold fast to His covenant 5 join ones self
to Adonai 6 Serve Him 7 Love the name of Adonai, 8 Be his workers.
The passage can be split into three parts. 1 The
salvation and blessing for Eunuchs that join Adonai 2 The salvation and
blessing for other Gentiles who Join Adonai, to serve and love Him 3 Adonai’s
message concerning the selfishness and irresponsibility of Israel’s shepherds.
Verse By
Verse Study
V1 Observe justice – means
to practice justice or just acts.
Do what’s right - This can be to reiterate the previous
command to observe justice. To observe justice is to do what’s right. Most
likely this is to say: do righteous acts.
For my salvation is close to
coming – Jesus will come to bring
salvation to the ends of the earth. Isaiah 49:6
My righteousness to being
revealed – His righteousness will be seen in His salvific acts.
Note: The first two sentences are addressed to people, and the
second two about Adonai. We are to be just in preparation for when His Justice
will come, in the form of salvation. We are also warned to do what is right, just
as His righteousness is about to be revealed. This is a classic biblical arrangement,
where both parties are expected to fulfill their part of the bargain. They are depicted as bride and groom waiting to meet each other
for marriage. One such depiction appears in Jewish tradition where the giving
of the Torah in Exodus 20, is in fact Israel’s marriage contract as it were,
with Adonai.
V2 Happy is the person who
does this anyone who grasps it firmly. – Happy is the person who does the above and takes it seriously, with
passion and conviction
Who keeps Shabbat and does not profane it – i.e. rest on the seventh day and worship the Lord on these days in
accordance with His law. Don’t treat Shabbat or think of it as unimportant,
nor degrade its significance. Do not break it.
And keeps himself from doing
any evil – And lives without sin.
V3 A foreigner joining Adonai should not say,
“Adonai will separate me from his people” – The Lord did not only come for Israel. He will not separate anyone from
His Kingdom who joins themselves to Him
Likewise the eunuch should not say, “I am only a
dried-up tree.”
– I am not able to have children as a
dried up tree can’t bear fruit. Therefore
I am unworthy.
V4 As for the eunuchs who
keep my Shabbats, who choose what pleases me - The Shabbats are the Hebrew Sabbath days. What pleases
the Lord is not only what is listed in the text, but also things that one learns
as one gets to know Adonai.
And hold fast to my covenant – i.e. passionately commit to follow my instruction, which are the conditions
upon which I will fulfill my promises
V5 In my house, within my walls - In the place where Adonai dwells, in the eternal house and kingdom of
Adonai, and within the walls of His great city Zion. (1 Timothy 3:15, Psalm 132:13)
I will give them power and a name greater than sons and
daughters.
– A name that is of much higher status
and recognition when compared to that of a son carrying the name of his Father throug generations. (It was a cultural aspiration to have descendants that carry the name of the father during biblical times. The importance of this can be identified in the detail within the biblical texts. See Genesis 5
I will give him an everlasting name that will not be cut
off.
– an everlasting name that will be
remembered in The Lord's kingdom, even if one can’t have children to carry ones name
throughout generations . (2 Timothy 2:19)
V6 And the foreigners who join themselves to Adonai to
serve him, to love the name of Adonai, and to be his workers. - not to join one’s self to another, to be their servant or slave as commonly
practiced in biblical times; but to Adonai, to be His servant, and to Love the
name of Adonai, as The Name encompasses all that He is.
All who keep Shabbat and do not profane it. – Keep Shabbat i.e. rest on the seventh day and worship the Lord according
to His law on these days. Don’t treat Shabbat or think of it as unimportant,
nor degrade its significance.
And hold fast to my covenant – i.e. passionately commit to follow His instructions, which are the
conditions upon which His promises will be fulfilled.
V7 I will bring them to my holy mountain – I.e Zion – originality The city of David, but later used interchangeably to also mean God's dwelling place and God's people. Joel 3:5 , Psalm 2:6, Isaiah 2:2 This promise suggests total inclusion and acceptance.
And make them joyful in my house of prayer – They will have joy and be joyful in the lord’s house, being the temple.
(Matthew 21:12-13) ( 3:6)
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on
my altar – I.e. sacrifices and burnt offerings, not
necessary temple sacrifices and offerings. ( 8:20)
For my house will be called a house of prayer for all
peoples
– I.e. Adonai’s temple will be known as
open to all people who love Adonai and serve Him. His house is not necessary a
temple or tent of meeting. This can be equally understood as a congregation of
believers. (Hebrews 3:5, Acts 7:49-50)
Note: It is even said, that the use of verse 7 is enough for a gentile to gain entrance into any Synagogue. This is evidence that Adonai came for all, and accepts all who worship Him.
V8 Adonai Elohim says, he who gathers Israel’s exiles – Adonai is He who gathers Israel’s exiles. (Ezra 6:19-22 , Jeremiah 24:5)
There are yet others I will gather besides those
gathered already. – Adonai will adopt
others as children, apart from the Israelites. (John 10:16)
V9 All you wild animals – Wild animals are nations against Israel.
Come and devour yes, all you animals in the forest! - come and get them like wild animals hunt for their prey.Jeremiah 12:7-9, Ezekie34:8)
V10 [Isra’el’s] watchmen are, all of them, blind; they
don’t know anything.- Are all of Adonai’s watchmen blind? – can they not see
the big picture? i.e. the results of their ways, the Acharit!
They are all dumb dogs, unable to bark – like dogs that can’t bark
to warn Israel of coming danger or judgement as a result of their sin or
irresponsibility towards Adonai’s instruction.
lying there dreaming, loving to sleep – living in a dream world
that is far from reality. Relaxing as prey that is unaware of the danger they
are in.
V11 Greedy dogs,
never satisfied — always wanting more despite Adonai’s provision and
promises.
Such are the shepherds, unable to understand. – Unable to grasp the
magnitude of their error or responsibility to shepherd Adonai’s people (Jeremiah 23:1)
They all turn to their own way, each one intent on his
own gain – they all live how they want; Full of self-interests and
personal goals. (Jeremiah 6:13)
V12 “Come, I’ll get some wine, we’ll fill up on good,
strong liquor! Tomorrow will be like today; in fact, it will be even better! - A picture of their attitude towards life, or
an actual quote. They were most likely enjoing this particular moment in life,
and wished to experience it again, day after day. Note that alcohol seems to play
a key role in their lives at this point. It was probably drunkenness that aided
them in escaping reality and responsibility.
