[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 [7] these 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.” (Isaiah 56:6–7)
What a wondrous truth: We are proof positive that the beginning of the above prophecy has come to pass.
Isaiah was prophesying to the Israelites centuries before the birth of Christ. “Foreigners” refers to all people who were not Jewish. As Gentiles this prophecy is speaking about us. People who were not born into God’s Old Testament covenant people. People who were born in sin and have sinned. People who were by nature cut off from God.
But the prophecy says there will be foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, who love his name. Foreigners who keep the Sabbath. Sound familiar? Have we not made our public confessions of faith? Do we not love the Lord? Do we not keep the Sabbath?
Yes, by God’s grace through faith in Christ, we do all of these and more. God has included us in fulfilling this prophesy.
Verse seven is most often understood as a prophesy about the end times. When Christ returns, he will gather all believers to his “holy mountain.” Because all believers will be included – Jew and Gentile, Israelite and Foreigner – that place will be called a “house of prayer for all peoples.”
Again, what a privilege, to recognize that we will again be part of God’s fulfillment of this prophesy.
(A Second Look devotions are written for the congregations of the of Ohio District LCMS.)
Kevin Wilson 360 