3 Let not the foreigner e who has joined himself to the Lord say , "The Lord will surely separate me from His people ." Nor let the eunuch say , "Behold , I am a dry tree ." 4 For thus says the Lord , "To the eunuchs who keep My sabbaths , And choose what pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant , 5 To them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial , And a name better than that of sons and daughters ; I will give them an everlasting name which will not be cut off . 6 "Also the foreigners e who join themselves to the Lord , To minister to Him, and to love the name of the Lord , To be His servants , every one who keeps from profaning the sabbath And holds fast My covenant ; 7 Even those I will bring to My holy mountain And make them joyful in My house of prayer . Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar ; For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples ." 8 The Lord GOD , who gathers the dispersed of Israel , declares , "Yet others I will gather to them, to those already gathered ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 56:3-8
Commentary on Isaiah 56:3-8
(Read Isaiah 56:3-8)
Unbelief often suggests things to discourage believers, against which God has expressly guarded. Spiritual blessings are unspeakably better than having sons and daughters; for children are a care, and may prove a grief and shame, but the blessings we partake of in God's house, are comforts which cannot be made bitter. Those who love the Lord truly, will serve him faithfully, and then his commandments are not grievous. Three things are promised. Assistance: I will not only bid them welcome, but incline them to come. Acceptance, and comfort: though they came mourning to the house of prayer, they shall go away rejoicing. They shall find ease by casting their cares and burdens upon God. Many a sorrowful spirit has been made joyful in the house of prayer. The Gentiles shall be one body with the Jews, that, as Christ says, John 10:16, there may be one fold and one Shepherd. Thanks be to God that none are separated from him except by wilful sin and unbelief; and if we come to him, we shall be accepted through the sacrifice of our great High Priest.