God Gathers the Outcasts

Bible Study Questions 10302

PASSAGE: Isaiah 56:1-12

COMMENT: In this chapter, God gathers the outcasts of Israel (mentioning the stranger, or foreigner, and the eunuch) and gives them a prominent place in His covenant. They will be blessed as God makes His house a house of prayer for all people. Yet, God continues to be angry with the shepherds who serve themselves alone and live as greedy dogs.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

1. The Lord declares: “for my _____________ is near to come, and my _______________ to be revealed.

2. God promises the faithful eunuchs a name better than of ________ and of ___________.

3. God plans to bring the outcasts to His holy mountain and make them __________ in His house of prayer.

4. “His watchmen are _______; they are all ____________, they are all _________ dogs.”

5. The greedy dogs believe that tomorrow shall be as this ________, and much more _____________.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1. In this chapter, the eunuch is compared to a dry tree (v.3). Why is the eunuch compared to a dry tree? Read verse five. How is God going to remedy the problem of the eunuch?

2. The stranger in scripture is the foreigner; that is, the non-Jew. What is being promised to the sons of the stranger in verse six? When do you think this will be fulfilled? What does God call “my holy mountain” (v.7)?

3. Verse 8 states, “The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.” What do you think this verse is talking about? Read John 10:16 and tell how these two verses compare.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

1. God promised that His “house shall be called an house of prayer for all people” (v.7). What do you think this means? How was this not yet true in Old Testament times? What is Jesus teaching when He quotes this verse (see Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46)?

2. Verses 10-12 compare wicked leaders to dogs. Using this passage as a starting point, make your own comparison. According to these verses, how are wicked leaders like dogs? Can you think of any other common characteristics?

SUGGESTED MEMORY VERSES: Isaiah 56:7, 8, 10, 11

TEXT: Isaiah 56:1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

2 Blessed 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.

3 Neither 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.

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

5 Even 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.

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;

7 Even 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.

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

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

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

11 Yea, 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.

12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

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