Isaiah 56-57

One of the themes in Isaiah, is that the good news is good for more than just Israel.  In Isaiah 56 two groups traditionally excluded from worship are given hope: they will be brought to the house of God to worship, they will be invited to join in prayer with God's people.  We are beneficiaries of that promise.  Jesus was frustrated with the people of his day who ignored it and did not take seriously the idea that God's temple was to be a place where all nations would pray to God. The passage then moves to an accusation against those who are wicked, but ends on another note of comfort.  Those who are humble will receive grace.  It is a great reminder that the path to God is always repentance and humility not pride and boasting.  God in chapter 57 sees the sin, yet accepts those who are contrite.  Read it here.