The Dried Up are Refreshed

3Let 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.”

4For this is what the Lord says:

“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,

who choose what pleases me

and hold fast to my covenant—

5to 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 forever.

6And 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—

7these 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.”

8The Sovereign Lord declares—

he who gathers the exiles of Israel:

“I will gather still others to them

besides those already gathered.” (Isaiah 56)

32This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,

and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,

so he did not open his mouth.

33In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.

Who can speak of his descendants?

For his life was taken from the earth.” ^b

34The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. (Acts 8 after reading Isaiah 53)

Thoughts: There is an interesting combination of grace in Isaiah.  Isaiah 53 speaks of the Messiah not having any descendants because he made himself a sacrifice.  Isaiah 56 speaks about God's grace.  The great news of God is that the dry bones live in Jesus.  The eunuchs bear fruit. The foreigners are welcomed like family.  God desires all peoples to come to Him.  In Jesus it is being fulfilled. Sinners are welcomed to come (but also encouraged to stop sinning).    

Prayer: Lord, let all people come to you.  Draw them to yourself.  Let me welcome them in your name.