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Commentary on Isaiah 56 verses 1–2
The scope of these verses is to show that when God is coming towards us in a way of mercy we must go forth to meet him in a way of duty.
I. God here tells us what are his intentions of mercy to us (Isa 56:1): My salvation is near to come - the great salvation wrought out by Jesus Christ (for that was the salvation of which the prophets enquired and searched diligently, Pe1 1:10), typified by the salvation of the Jews from Sennacherib or out of Babylon. Observe, 1. The gospel salvation is the salvation of the Lord. It was contrived and brought about by him; he glories in it as his. 2. In that salvation God's righteousness is revealed, which is so much the beauty of the gospel that St. Paul makes this the ground of his glorying in it. (Rom 1:17), because therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith. The law revealed that righteousness of God by which all sinners stand condemned, but the gospel reveals that by which all believers stand acquitted. 3. The Old Testament saints saw this salvation coming, and drawing near to them, long before it came; and they had notice by the prophets of its approach. As Daniel understood by Jeremiah's books the approach of the redemption out of Babylon, at the end of seventy years, so others understood by Daniel's books the approach of our redemption by Christ at the end of seventy weeks of years.
II. He tells us what are his expectations of duty from us, in consideration thereof. Say not, "We see the salvation near, and therefore we may live as we list, for there is no danger now of missing it or coming short of it;" that is turning the grace of God into wantonness. But, on the contrary, when the salvation is near double your guard against sin. Note, The fuller assurances God gives us of the performance of his promises the stronger obligations he lays us under to obedience. The salvation here spoken of has now come; yet, there being still a further salvation in view, the apostle presses duty upon us Christians with the same argument. Rom 3:11, Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. That which is here required to qualify and prepare us for the approaching salvation is,
1.That we be honest and just in all our dealings: Keep you judgment and do justice. Walk by rule, and make conscience of what you say and do, that you do no wrong to any. Render to all their dues exactly, and, in exacting what is due to you, keep up a court of equity in your own bosom, to moderate the rigours of the law. Be ruled by that golden rule, "Do as you would be done by." Magistrates must administer justice wisely and faithfully. This is required to evidence the sincerity of our faith and repentance, and to open the way of mercy. Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. God is true to us; let us be so to one another.
2.That we religiously observe the sabbath day, Isa 56:2. We are not just if we rob God of his time. Sabbath-sanctification is here put for all the duties of the first table, the fruits of our love to God, as justice and judgment are put for all those of the second table, the fruits of our love to our neighbour. Observe, (1.) The duty required, which is to keep the sabbath, to keep it as a talent we are to trade with, as a treasure we are entrusted with. "Keep it holy; keep it safe; keep it with care and caution; keep it from polluting it. Allow neither yourselves nor others either to violate the holy rest or omit the holy work of that day." If this be intended primarily for the Jews in Babylon, it was fit that they should be particularly put in mind of this, because when, by reason of their distance from the temple, they could not observe the other institutions of their law, yet they might distinguish themselves from the heathen by putting a difference between God's day and other days. But it being required more generally of man, and the son of man, it intimates that sabbath-sanctification should be a duty in gospel times, when the bounds of the church should be enlarged and other rites and ceremonies abolished. Observe, Those that would keep the sabbath from polluting it must put on resolution, must not only do this, but lay hold on it, for sabbath time is precious, but is very apt to slip away if we take not great care; and therefore we must lay hold on it and keep our hold, must do it and persevere in it. (2.) The encouragement we have to do this duty: Blessed is he that doeth it. The way to have the blessing of God upon our employments all the week is to make conscience, and make a business, of sabbath-sanctification; and in doing so we shall be the better qualified to do judgment and justice. The more godliness the more honesty, Ti1 2:2.
3.That we have nothing to do with sin: Blessed is the man that keeps his hand from doing evil, any wrong to his neighbour, in body, goods, or good name - or, more generally, any thing that is displeasing to God and hurtful to his own soul. Note, The best evidence of our having kept the sabbath well will be a care to keep a good conscience all the week. By this it will appear that we have been in the mount with God if our faces shine in a holy conversation before men.
This man is also the son of the inner person, about which it is frequently said in Leviticus, a person is blessed in that he does and understands these following things as the priority: namely, judgment, justice, and the salvation of the Lord, all of which are near and are to be revealed to all the nations. Such a person also understands that he will not only do that which is commanded but will hold it firmly. And he will keep the sabbath so that he does not pollute it.… But we are called into freedom, and by this freedom Christ grants us that we do not work for food that perishes. Instead, cleaving to the Lord, let us say with the prophet, “It is good for me to stay close to God, and let us become one spirit with him, and let us fulfill the delightful sabbath, and we shall not belong to the six days in which the world was made.”
(Verse 2.) Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who understands it: who keeps the Sabbath, so as not to pollute it: who keeps his hands from doing evil. LXX: Blessed is the man who does these things, and the person who retains them, and keeps the Sabbaths, so as not to profane them, and keeps his hands from doing iniquity. He who can say with the apostle Paul, 'When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things' (1 Corinthians 13:11): he attains the present blessedness, forgetting the past and reaching forward to the future until he reaches the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; so that the psalm may be fittingly applied to him: Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked (Psalm 1:1). Therefore, this is the man, and the son of the inner man, of whom it is frequently said in Leviticus: Man, man (Lev. XVII, 8): in him is blessedness, because he accomplishes the first and grasps these things: judgment, namely, and justice, and the salvation of the Lord, which is near, and is to be revealed to all nations: so that he not only does what is commanded, but holds fast with a strict hand; and keeps the Sabbath, lest he defile it: Now what the Sabbath is, which he commanded to be observed, the following verse shows: Observing his hands, lest he do any evil. It profits nothing to sit idly on the Sabbath, or to sleep, and to long for feasts. But if one does good, let them rest from evil, and let them have a constant Sabbath of injustice, that is, leisure, and let them only do those things which pertain to the salvation of the soul, and not engage in any servile work. For whoever commits sin, is a servant of sin (John 8). But we have been called to liberty, by which liberty Christ has given us, so that we may not labor for food that perishes; but by cleaving to the Lord, let us say with the Prophet: It is good for me to cleave to God (Psalm 73:28). Let us be of one spirit with Him, and let us observe the dedicated Sabbaths, so that we may not be of the six days in which the world was made, of which the Apostles were not, and of which the Lord spoke: If you were of this world, the world would certainly love what is its own. But now you are not of this world, because I have chosen you, and therefore the world hates you (John 15:19).
No one should be exercised by the words said to the Israelites about keeping the law, which doubtless belongs to the shadows of the world of types; for no one is justified by the law with God.… We should understand this spiritually; and abstaining from the care of the flesh we should offer spiritual sacrifices with the odor of a good spiritual fragrance and minister to God … to keep the sabbath spiritually now means for us keeping away from worldly cares … and with holy vigor making him glad, and offering ourselves in holy sweetness.
The inspired prophets spoke not only of things to come but also gave dogmatic and ethical instruction. And they announced both judgment and salvation to those of former times, so that by the promise of good things and by the warning of pains they might turn them from evil and point them to virtue. One can easily learn this from the present oracle. For the prophetic word counsels Israel to be held by righteousness and to have uprightness as the soul’s principle and then adds the prediction of the Savior and the revelation of mercy. For both [the moral and the predictive teaching] point to the Master’s appearing.
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SUMMARY
Isaiah 56:2 pronounces a profound divine blessing upon any individual who demonstrates unwavering commitment to God's covenant, specifically by diligently observing the Sabbath with reverence and abstaining from all forms of moral evil. This verse underscores that true happiness and divine favor are not merely inherited but are actively experienced by those who consistently align their lives with God's ceremonial and ethical commands, thereby extending the promise of salvation and flourishing to all who embrace righteousness.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Isaiah 56:2 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message with clarity and impact. The opening phrase, "Blessed is the man," is a classic example of a beatitude, a solemn declaration of happiness or good fortune pronounced upon those who exhibit specific qualities or actions. This structure is prevalent in wisdom literature, such as Psalm 1:1 and Proverbs 3:13, and it powerfully highlights the desirable outcome of righteous living. The verse also prominently utilizes parallelism, particularly in the pairing of "the man that doeth this" and "the son of man that layeth hold on it." This synonymous parallelism serves to reinforce the central idea of active obedience while simultaneously expanding its scope to encompass all humanity. Furthermore, the two specific commands—keeping the Sabbath and refraining from evil—demonstrate merism, a literary technique where two contrasting or complementary parts are used to represent a complete whole. Here, ceremonial law (Sabbath observance) and moral law (avoiding evil) together represent the entirety of God's will and the comprehensive nature of true obedience. Finally, the phrase "keepeth his hand from doing any evil" contains a metonymy, where "hand" stands for one's actions, power, or agency, effectively emphasizing the active choice, volitional control, and personal responsibility required to abstain from wrongdoing.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 56:2 powerfully articulates the enduring Old Testament principle that blessing, flourishing, and true happiness are intrinsically linked to active obedience to God's covenant. It emphasizes that God's favor is not merely an inherited status or an arbitrary gift but a dynamic reality experienced by those who actively choose to live righteously in both their worship and their daily conduct. This verse foreshadows the New Covenant's emphasis on a transformed heart that produces genuine righteous living, demonstrating that God has always desired a people who reflect His character. The deliberate inclusion of "the son of man" (a general term for humanity) in this blessing also subtly points towards the universal scope of God's redemptive plan, which would ultimately be fully revealed in Christ, inviting all nations to participate in His covenant blessings.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 56:2 offers enduring wisdom for believers today, inviting us to consider the profound and inseparable connection between our actions and our experience of God's blessing. It challenges us to move beyond a superficial understanding of faith to embrace a holistic obedience that touches every area of our lives. The call to "keep the Sabbath from polluting it" reminds us of the vital and often overlooked need for intentional rest, spiritual renewal, and dedicated time for worship in a world that constantly pressures us towards relentless activity and productivity. This rest is not merely an absence of work but an active turning towards God, allowing Him to refresh our souls, reorient our priorities, and deepen our dependence on Him. Simultaneously, the command to "keep his hand from doing any evil" serves as a powerful ethical imperative, urging us to live with unwavering integrity, justice, and compassion in all our interactions. This means actively choosing righteousness, resisting temptation, and diligently ensuring that our words, deeds, and even our thoughts reflect the holy and loving character of Christ. A truly blessed life, as revealed in this verse, is one marked by both devout spiritual practice and unwavering moral integrity, leading to a deep, abiding, and comprehensive joy that comes from walking faithfully in God's ways.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of "Sabbath observance" in this verse for Christians today?
Answer: While New Testament believers understand that Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:9-10), Isaiah 56:2's emphasis on "keeping the Sabbath from polluting it" still carries profound spiritual significance. It underscores the timeless principle of setting aside dedicated time for rest, worship, and spiritual renewal. For Christians, this translates into prioritizing regular corporate worship, personal devotion, and intentional cessation from the anxieties and labors of the world. It is an act of trust in God's provision and an acknowledgment that our identity and well-being are found in Him, not in ceaseless activity. It also reminds us to honor God with our time, making sacred space for Him to work in our lives and re-center our focus on His sovereignty.
How does "keeping his hand from doing any evil" relate to the concept of grace?
Answer: The command to "keep his hand from doing any evil" highlights God's consistent expectation for righteous living, which is not negated but powerfully empowered by grace. In the Old Testament, this was a command to be obeyed through human effort, albeit with divine assistance. Under the New Covenant, grace, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, provides the power and desire to fulfill this command (Philippians 2:13). It is not about earning salvation through good works, but about demonstrating a transformed heart that genuinely desires to please God and live in accordance with His moral will. Grace enables us to turn from evil and pursue righteousness, making obedience a joyful response to God's boundless love, rather than a burdensome obligation or a means to achieve merit.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 56:2, with its declaration of blessing upon those who faithfully observe the Sabbath and abstain from evil, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential "man" and "son of man" who perfectly "doeth this" and "layeth hold on it." Jesus perfectly kept the Sabbath, not through rigid legalism, but by fulfilling its true, compassionate purpose of bringing healing, liberation, and spiritual rest to humanity (Mark 2:27-28). He never polluted it but rather demonstrated its divine intent. More significantly, Jesus lived a life utterly free from "doing any evil," being the only truly righteous and sinless human being who ever walked the earth (Hebrews 4:15). His perfect obedience, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross, is the ultimate "doing this" that secures blessing for all who place their faith in Him. Through Christ, believers are not only imputed with His perfect righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21) but are also empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to genuinely "lay hold" on a life of progressive obedience, not to earn salvation, but as a fruit of their new identity and union with Him. The blessing promised in Isaiah 56:2 is therefore not just a reward for human effort, but a gracious gift received through intimate union with the One who perfectly fulfilled all righteousness, inviting all to enter into His eternal rest and abundant life (Matthew 11:28-30).