Slices
Prepare
God delights in all the nations and has no favourites. His love extends to all peoples. We build walls of division but Jesus tears them all down (Ephesians 2:14) and welcomes us to him. What is our part in tearing down walls?
Bible passage
Salvation for others
56 This is what the Lord says:
‘Maintain justice
and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
2 Blessed is the one who does this –
the person who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
and keeps their hands from doing any evil.’
3 Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say,
‘The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.’
And let no eunuch complain,
‘I am only a dry tree.’
4 For this is what the Lord says:
‘To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,
who choose what pleases me
and hold fast to my covenant –
5 to them I will give within my temple and its walls
a memorial and a name
better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that will endure for ever.
6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord
to minister to him,
to love the name of the Lord,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant –
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.’
8 The Sovereign Lord declares –
he who gathers the exiles of Israel:
‘I will gather still others to them
besides those already gathered.’
Explore
I’m always astonished by this reading. It’s as though the impetus of this section in Isaiah is towards greater and greater inclusivity. Two broad groups of people who considered themselves to be beyond God’s care are specifically mentioned, namely foreigners and eunuchs. As far as the first group is concerned, some scholars think that the writer has the prohibition against Ammonites and Moabites in Deuteronomy 23:3 in mind. They were historical enemies of the Jews and banished from God’s presence. Eunuchs, a minority group, were deemed to be unclean before because of their castration, whether this was voluntary or forced upon them. But not any more.
As God restores Israel, so he will restore fellowship with people from all nations who turn to him. Enemies will become friends. There will be no border wall dividing them and us. God is now doing a new thing. As God’s people extend his love to all people, the nations will come running in (Isaiah 55:5). What a message!
Respond
‘Lord, forgive me when I restrict your love to people who are like me in some way. Enable me to grasp your vision of a world changed and ordered by the costly love shown in Jesus.’
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Amos 9; Revelation 9
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray for Sue Winning as she serves in her role as Company Secretary. Pray that her work will help strengthen the charity’s mission, and that she will be encouraged and inspired and have wisdom and clarity as she supports good governance.
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