Isaiah 56:7
I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful 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 the nations."
I will bring them
This phrase signifies God's active role in gathering His people. The Hebrew root "בּוֹא" (bo) implies a movement or bringing in, suggesting divine initiative and grace. Historically, this reflects God's promise to gather not only the Israelites but also the Gentiles, indicating an inclusive covenant.

to My holy mountain
The "holy mountain" refers to Zion, a symbol of God's presence and the center of worship in Jerusalem. In a broader sense, it represents the spiritual elevation and communion with God. The mountain is "holy" because it is set apart for divine purposes, emphasizing the sanctity and reverence due to God.

and make them joyful
Joy in the Hebrew context, "שָׂמַח" (samach), is more than happiness; it is a deep, spiritual contentment and fulfillment found in God's presence. This joy is a gift from God, reflecting the peace and satisfaction that come from worship and communion with Him.

in My house of prayer
The "house of prayer" is the temple, a place dedicated to communication with God. This phrase underscores the temple's primary purpose as a place where people from all nations can seek God. It highlights the importance of prayer as a means of connecting with the divine.

Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
These offerings were central to Old Testament worship, symbolizing atonement and dedication to God. The acceptance of these offerings signifies God's approval and the restoration of relationship. It also points to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, which fulfills and transcends these ancient rituals.

will be accepted on My altar
The altar is a sacred place of offering and communion with God. The acceptance of offerings on God's altar indicates His willingness to receive worship from all who come to Him in faith. This acceptance is a sign of God's grace and mercy.

for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations
This prophetic declaration emphasizes the universal scope of God's salvation plan. The phrase "for all the nations" indicates that God's invitation extends beyond Israel to include all peoples. It foreshadows the New Testament revelation of the Gospel being preached to all nations, fulfilling God's promise of inclusivity and unity in worship.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The speaker in this verse, promising inclusion and acceptance.

2. Holy Mountain
Symbolic of God's presence and the place of worship, often associated with Jerusalem and the temple.

3. House of Prayer
Refers to the temple, a place dedicated to worship and communication with God.

4. Nations
Represents all peoples, indicating the inclusivity of God's promise.

5. Burnt Offerings and Sacrifices
Traditional forms of worship and atonement in the Old Testament, symbolizing devotion and repentance.
Teaching Points
Inclusivity in Worship
God's invitation extends to all nations, emphasizing the universal nature of His love and the call to worship.

Joy in God's Presence
True joy is found in communion with God, as He promises to make His people joyful in His house of prayer.

Acceptance of Offerings
God values sincere worship and devotion, accepting the offerings of those who seek Him with a pure heart.

Prayer as Central to Worship
The temple is designated as a house of prayer, highlighting the importance of prayer in our relationship with God.

Fulfillment in Christ
Jesus' actions and teachings affirm the prophecy, showing that He is the fulfillment of God's promise to include all nations.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Isaiah 56:7 challenge our understanding of who is welcome in God's house?

2. In what ways can we make our places of worship more inclusive, reflecting the "house of prayer for all nations"?

3. How does the concept of joy in God's presence influence your personal worship and prayer life?

4. What can we learn from the acceptance of offerings in this verse about the nature of true worship?

5. How does Jesus' reference to this verse in the New Testament deepen our understanding of its significance?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 21:13
Jesus quotes this verse when cleansing the temple, emphasizing the temple's purpose as a house of prayer for all nations.

1 Kings 8:41-43
Solomon's prayer at the temple dedication, asking God to hear the prayers of foreigners who come to the temple.

Psalm 24:3-4
Discusses who may ascend the hill of the Lord, connecting to the idea of approaching God's holy mountain.

Mark 11:17
Reinforces the concept of the temple as a house of prayer, highlighting Jesus' mission to restore true worship.

Revelation 7:9
Describes a multitude from every nation worshiping before God's throne, fulfilling the prophecy of inclusivity.
God's HouseIsaiah 56:7
God's House of Prayer for EverybodyR. Tuck Isaiah 56:7
God's House the House of Prayer Foe All PeopleJ. Harris, D. D.Isaiah 56:7
Joyfulness WorshipW. Braden.Isaiah 56:7
My House of PrayerW. Braden.Isaiah 56:7
Public WorshipT. Mannigham, D. D.Isaiah 56:7
The Church of ChristIsaiah 56:7
The House of PrayerT Davies, M. A.Isaiah 56:7
The True Observance of the SabbathE. Johnson Isaiah 56:1-8
The Open GateW. Clarkson Isaiah 56:3-8
Characteristics and Privileges of God's PeopleJ. Gemmel, M. A.Isaiah 56:4-7
Holding Fast by God's CovenantJ. A. Alexander.Isaiah 56:4-7
Taking Hold of God's CovenantJ. Trapp.Isaiah 56:4-7
Taking Hold of God's CovenantIsaiah 56:4-7
Gentiles Enjoying God's FavourJ. Orton.Isaiah 56:6-7
The Rewards of God's ServantsR. Watson.Isaiah 56:6-7
People
Isaiah
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Acceptable, Accepted, Altar, Bring, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offerings, Caused, Holy, Joy, Joyful, Mountain, Named, Nations, Offerings, Peoples, Pleasing, Pleasure, Prayer, Rejoice, Sacrifices
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Isaiah 56:7

     1611   Scripture, inspiration and authority
     5478   property, houses
     7382   house of God
     8630   worship, results

Isaiah 56:3-7

     7271   Zion, as symbol

Isaiah 56:4-7

     7470   temple, significance

Isaiah 56:6-7

     6603   acceptance, divine
     7436   sacrifice, NT fulfilment
     8208   commitment, to God

Isaiah 56:6-8

     7031   unity, God's goal
     7511   Gentiles, in OT

Library
We Sure of To-Morrow? a New Year's Sermon
'To-morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.'--ISAIAH lvi. 12. These words, as they stand, are the call of boon companions to new revelry. They are part of the prophet's picture of a corrupt age when the men of influence and position had thrown away their sense of duty, and had given themselves over, as aristocracies and plutocracies are ever tempted to do, to mere luxury and good living. They are summoning one another to their coarse orgies. The roystering speaker says, 'Do not be afraid
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Concerning the Sacrament of Baptism
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to the riches of His mercy has at least preserved this one sacrament in His Church uninjured and uncontaminated by the devices of men, and has made it free to all nations and to men of every class. He has not suffered it to be overwhelmed with the foul and impious monstrosities of avarice and superstition; doubtless having this purpose, that He would have little children, incapable of avarice and superstition, to be initiated into
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Nor Indeed Hath the Holy Spirit Failed to Speak what Should be of Open...
25. Nor indeed hath the Holy Spirit failed to speak what should be of open and unshaken avail against these men, most shamelessly and madly obstinate, and should repel their assault, as of wild beasts, from His sheep-fold, by defences that may not be stormed. For, after He had said concerning eunuchs, "I will give unto them in My house and in My wall a named place, much better than of sons and daughters;" [2069] lest any too carnal should think that there was any thing temporal to be hoped for in
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

The House of Prayer. --Isaiah Lvi. 7
The House of Prayer.--Isaiah lvi. 7. "My House shall be an House of Prayer For all that live, to worship there:" Thus saith the Lord:--how answer we? "Thine House, our House of Prayer shall be." "Wherever I my Name record, There will I meet Thee," saith the Lord; Thee in Thine House of Prayer we meet; Now bless us from the Mercy-seat. Thus spake the Lord--"My Son, to Thee Swear every tongue, bow every knee:" Father, by us Thy will be done, We bow the knee and "Kiss the Son." His throne and kingdom
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

Lastly, Let us Hear the Lord Himself Delivering Most Plain Judgment on this Matter. ...
23. Lastly, let us hear the Lord Himself delivering most plain judgment on this matter. For, upon His speaking after a divine and fearful manner concerning husband and wife not separating, save on account of fornication, His disciples said to Him, "If the case be such with a wife, it is not good to marry." [2066] To whom He saith, "Not all receive this saying. For there are eunuchs who were so born: but there are others who were made by men: and there are eunuchs, who made themselves eunuchs for
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

That the Ruler Should be Discreet in Keeping Silence, Profitable in Speech.
The ruler should be discreet in keeping silence, profitable in speech; lest he either utter what ought to be suppressed or suppress what he ought to utter. For, as incautious speaking leads into error, so indiscreet silence leaves in error those who might have been instructed. For often improvident rulers, fearing to lose human favour, shrink timidly from speaking freely the things that are right; and, according to the voice of the Truth (Joh. x. 12), serve unto the custody of the flock by no means
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

That the Unskilful Venture not to Approach an Office of Authority.
No one presumes to teach an art till he has first, with intent meditation, learnt it. What rashness is it, then, for the unskilful to assume pastoral authority, since the government of souls is the art of arts! For who can be ignorant that the sores of the thoughts of men are more occult than the sores of the bowels? And yet how often do men who have no knowledge whatever of spiritual precepts fearlessly profess themselves physicians of the heart, though those who are ignorant of the effect of
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The History of the Prophetic Sermons, Epistles, and Apocalypses
[Sidenote: Real character and aims of the prophets] To understand and rightly interpret the prophetic writings of the Old Testament it is necessary to cast aside a false impression as to the character of the prophets which is widely prevalent. They were not foretellers, but forth-tellers. Instead of being vague dreamers, in imagination living far in the distant future, they were most emphatically men of their own times, enlightened and devoted patriots, social and ethical reformers, and spiritual
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

How those are to be Admonished who have had Experience of the Sins of the Flesh, and those who have Not.
(Admonition 29.) Differently to be admonished are those who are conscious of sins of the flesh, and those who know them not. For those who have had experience of the sins of the flesh are to be admonished that, at any rate after shipwreck, they should fear the sea, and feel horror at their risk of perdition at least when it has become known to them; lest, having been mercifully preserved after evil deeds committed, by wickedly repeating the same they die. Whence to the soul that sins and never
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

"And if Christ be in You, the Body is Dead Because of Sin; but the Spirit is Life Because of Righteousness. "
Rom. viii. 10.--"And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." God's presence is his working. His presence in a soul by his Spirit is his working in such a soul in some special manner, not common to all men, but peculiar to them whom he hath chosen. Now his dwelling is nothing else but a continued, familiar and endless working in a soul, till he hath conformed all within to the image of his Son. The soul is the office house, or workhouse,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Ye Also who have not yet Made this Vow...
30. Ye also who have not yet made this vow, who are able to receive it, receive it. [2093] Run with perseverance, that ye may obtain. [2094] Take ye each his sacrifices, and enter ye into the courts [2095] of the Lord, not of necessity, having power over your own will. [2096] For not as, "Thou shall not commit adultery, Thou shall not kill," [2097] can it so be said, Thou shalt not wed. The former are demanded, the latter are offered. If the latter are done, they are praised: unless the former are
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the Teaching of the Lord Concerning Purity - the Traditions Concerning Hand-Washing' and Vows. '
As we follow the narrative, confirmatory evidence of what had preceded springs up at almost every step. It is quite in accordance with the abrupt departure of Jesus from Capernaum, and its motives, that when, so far from finding rest and privacy at Bethsaida (east of the Jordan), a greater multitude than ever had there gathered around Him, which would fain have proclaimed Him King, He resolved on immediate return to the western shore, with the view of seeking a quieter retreat, even though it were
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Barren Fig-Tree. Temple Cleansed.
(Road from Bethany and Jerusalem. Monday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXI. 18, 19, 12, 13; ^B Mark XI. 12-18; ^C Luke XIX. 45-48. ^b 12 And ^a 18 Now ^b on the morrow [on the Monday following the triumphal entry], ^a in the morning ^b when they were come out from Bethany, ^a as he returned to the city [Jerusalem], he hungered. [Breakfast with the Jews came late in the forenoon, and these closing days of our Lord's ministry were full of activity that did not have time to tarry at Bethany for it. Our
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Manner of Covenanting.
Previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of Covenanting, the consideration of God's procedure towards his people while performing the service seems to claim regard. Of the manner in which the great Supreme as God acts, as well as of Himself, our knowledge is limited. Yet though even of the effects on creatures of His doings we know little, we have reason to rejoice that, in His word He has informed us, and in His providence illustrated by that word, he has given us to
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
The law of God originates in his nature, but the attributes of his creatures are due to his sovereignty. The former is, accordingly, to be viewed as necessarily obligatory on the moral subjects of his government, and the latter--which are all consistent with the holiness of the Divine nature, are to be considered as called into exercise according to his appointment. Hence, also, the law of God is independent of his creatures, though made known on their account; but the operation of their attributes
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

An Appendix to the Beatitudes
His commandments are not grievous 1 John 5:3 You have seen what Christ calls for poverty of spirit, pureness of heart, meekness, mercifulness, cheerfulness in suffering persecution, etc. Now that none may hesitate or be troubled at these commands of Christ, I thought good (as a closure to the former discourse) to take off the surmises and prejudices in men's spirits by this sweet, mollifying Scripture, His commandments are not grievous.' The censuring world objects against religion that it is difficult
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Love
The rule of obedience being the moral law, comprehended in the Ten Commandments, the next question is: What is the sum of the Ten Commandments? The sum of the Ten Commandments is, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind, and our neighbour as ourselves. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.' Deut 6: 5. The duty called for is love, yea, the strength of love, with all
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be Moral.
1. Because all the reasons of this commandment are moral and perpetual; and God has bound us to the obedience of this commandment with more forcible reasons than to any of the rest--First, because he foresaw that irreligious men would either more carelessly neglect, or more boldly break this commandment than any other; secondly, because that in the practice of this commandment the keeping of all the other consists; which makes God so often complain that all his worship is neglected or overthrown,
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

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