Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Adult Sunday School Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/bb/bb20040606.htm

ISAIAH: GOD'S DIRECTIVES TO THOSE TROUBLED AT GOVERNMENTAL APOSTASY
Part XLIII: God's Salvation Regarding Estranged Relationships
(Isaiah 56:1-8)
  1. Introduction
    1. We humans are social beings who need to relate well to others just as God Himself desires His people to relate well in loving one another, John 15:17.
    2. However, due to sin, we all suffer from estrangement in certain relationships, cf. Genesis 3:7-8, 12. Indeed, some relationships seem to be irreparable due to sin and its effects.
    3. Isaiah 56:1-8 anticipates a new arrangement in Christ's coming Messianic Kingdom when provision will be made for a wonderful renewal of relationships that had been estranged. The passage offers hope and direction for those facing such estrangements today as follows:
  2. God's Salvation Regarding Estranged Relationships, Isaiah 56:1-8.
    1. God urged His people to do what was right in keeping with the coming blessings of the Messianic (Millennial) Kingdom (of Christ, the thousand year reign of Christ on earth in Rev. 20:4), Isaiah 56:1-2.
    2. In fact, God revealed that even those who had formerly been estranged from Israel's blessings from God would enjoy those blessings for their obedience and faith in God, Isaiah 56:3-8:
      1. God sent out an announcement affecting people who have known estrangement from the Old Testament temple services and rituals -- people like Gentile foreigners and even eunuchs, Isaiah 56:3.
        1. God's message went out to Gentiles who were excluded from the temple, Acts 21:28; Num. 18:4, 7.
        2. His message went out to eunuchs who were excluded from the temple, Deuteronomy 23:1.
      2. God's announcement predicted the repairing of the estrangement such parties had experienced of fellowship and unity between the Lord, the Gentiles, the eunuchs and the nation Israel, Isaiah 56:4-8:
        1. God announced that eunuchs who heeded His will would enjoy full fellowship in the kingdom, 4-5: (1) God promised to unite eunuchs who kept the Sabbath and God's covenant with a unity with all others in His Messianic Kingdom's temple, Isaiah 56:4-5a. (2) This blessing would include a memorial and a name that would be more respected that were a man to have children, a blessing of particular value to eunuchs who could not reproduce children, Isaiah 56:5b. (3) Such an honorable name of eunuchs who were godly would last in the temple itself forever, a great honor, Isaiah 56:5c.
        2. God announced that Gentiles who heeded His will would enjoy full fellowship in the kingdom, 6-7: (1) Gentiles who attached themselves to God so as to love, worship and serve Him would be brought into the temple of God, Isaiah 56:6-7a. (2) While there, they would be given joy as God would accept their offerings and sacrifices and find blessing in prayer, Isaiah 56:7b. (3) Indeed, God's temple would become known as the house of prayer for all nations, Isaiah 56:7c.
        3. In accord with such an elevation of godly eunuchs and Gentiles, the Lord promised to produce a marvelous unification of these people with Israel's regularly accepted worshippers, Isaiah 56:8: (1) God is known for gathering the sinful, punished exiles of the nation of Israel, Isaiah 56:8a. (2) In keeping with this divine reputation toward Israel, God would join still others like the outcast eunuchs and Gentiles to this re-gathered group of exilic Hebrews in a demonstration of His tremendous grace toward all men, Isaiah 56:8b!
Lesson: When sin prevails, relationships suffer, but when God's righteousness prevails, in GRACE, He unites people to His great glory. As 1 John 1:7 puts it, " . . . if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." (ESV)

Application: (1) If we are estranged from any other party, SOMEBODY involved is in SIN: (a) either WE or (b) the OTHER party or (c) BOTH involved are in sin! (2) Upon taking care of sin by (a) faith in Christ for salvation (John 3:16) OR as BELIEVERS via (b) confession of sin (1 John 1:9), nothing can keep us from enjoying fellowship in Christ with EACH OTHER, 1 John 1:3-4. Such a unification works regardless of differences in race (Acts 13:1; 8:26-40), culture (Acts 10:44-48 with 11:1-18), wrongs that caused the rift (Luke 19:1-10). (3) If we are right with God but the other party remains in sin, there is NO grounds for reconciliation, and we must leave that problem with God, 2 Timothy 3:1-5.