No Outsiders (Isaiah 56)

Imagine stepping into a place where everyone belongs—a community where there’s no line between who’s in and who’s out, where no one has to wonder if they’re welcome. It’s not the way most of us think about belonging. In our world, we’re used to divisions, to categories, to people being kept at arm’s length because they’re different. But God’s vision for His people is different. His invitation has no boundaries, no locked doors, no reserved seats.

Today, we’re going to look at Isaiah 56, a passage that calls us to rethink everything we know about who belongs in God’s family. Isaiah’s message would have sounded radical, even uncomfortable, to the people who first heard it. But it also reveals something powerful about God’s heart—a heart that Jesus revealed when He walked among us.

So as we dive into this text, let’s prepare ourselves to be surprised by how God sees people, how He gathers the outsiders, and what it means for us to join Him in this incredible mission of welcoming.

Living Out Justice and Righteousness (1-2)

Isaiah 56:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Thus says the Lord: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

Isaiah opens this passage with a command—a call to action that should grab our attention. He says, “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed.” Now, let’s pause and really hear what God is saying here. He has just revealed a tremendous plan for saving everyone. He has offered an invitation for people to come and receive it without payment or price. All that he’s asked for is repentance. He doesn’t begin this section by talking about His love or promises but by calling His people to a life of justice and righteousness. There’s an urgency to this command, a sense of readiness. God is saying, “My salvation is coming, and I want my people prepared. I want you to embody the values of my kingdom.” This is what I expect in return and in response.

This call isn’t just about personal morality. It’s about something visible, active, and real. Justice and righteousness in the Bible aren’t just nice ideas—they’re actions that reveal who God is to the world. Justice is not simply a political issue or something abstract; it’s the way we treat others, especially the vulnerable. Righteousness isn’t a list of dos and don’ts; it’s a life that reflects the very character of God. When we live with justice and righteousness, we show people a glimpse of God’s heart.

Does our behavior show the world what God is like? When people see the way we treat others, do they see a God who is just, a God who cares deeply for those who are often forgotten? Do they see a church that reflects God’s own heart for mercy and compassion? This is the challenge Isaiah sets before us. Justice and righteousness aren’t optional for God’s people; they are the very essence of what it means to be His.

Isaiah says that “blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast.” God promises blessing to those who live this way. Why? Because when we keep justice and live righteously, we’re aligning ourselves with God’s own nature. We’re stepping into the flow of His will, showing the world that there is a better way—a way of mercy, of kindness, of truth. And isn’t this what Jesus showed us? In everything He did, Jesus lived out God’s justice and righteousness. He healed the broken, lifted the poor, and invited those who had been cast out.

And here’s the beauty of this call—it doesn’t stop with us. God’s vision for His people is that they would not only live out justice and righteousness but extend it outward, drawing in those who feel like outsiders. This passage shows us that God’s kingdom is big enough for all, even those society might overlook or reject. So, as we turn to the next verses, let’s think about this: Are we willing to welcome those who feel excluded? Are we ready to open the doors of our hearts and our church as wide as God does?

Breaking Down Walls (3-7)

Isaiah 56:3–7 (ESV) — 3 Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely separate me from his people”; and let not the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.” 4 For thus says the Lord: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, 5 I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. 6 “And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant— 7 these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

Isaiah speaks directly to foreigners and eunuchs, groups that were, by every standard of the day, “outsiders.” Foreigners didn’t share Israel’s lineage, culture, or history—they were seen as different, almost untouchable. And eunuchs? They didn’t fit society’s mold for family and legacy, which, in ancient Israel, was everything. A man’s identity was tied to his ability to pass down his name and heritage. Eunuchs couldn’t do that, and as a result, they were often seen as incomplete, as people without a future.

Now, hear what God says: “Let not the foreigner say, ‘The Lord will surely separate me from his people,’ and let not the eunuch say, ‘Behold, I am a dry tree.’” Do we see how bold this is? God is speaking directly to the very people who felt they had no right to His promises. He’s saying, “You belong here. You may think you’re on the outside, but I see you. I know you. And I have a place for you.”

And here’s the incredible promise: to the eunuch, God promises an “everlasting name.” In a culture where identity and honor came from passing down your family name, this was revolutionary. God offers something to the eunuchs that was beyond imagination—something even more profound than descendants. He promises them an honored place in His kingdom that lasts forever. This “everlasting name” is God’s way of saying, “Your value isn’t tied to what society says about you. You have a place of honor with Me.”

Imagine what it must have been like for a foreigner or a eunuch to hear these words. They had spent their lives on the edges of the community, maybe even in the shadows, wondering if they’d ever be welcomed. And here, God Himself is saying, “I don’t care what society says about you; you are welcome in My house.”

If this was difficult for Isaiah’s audience to understand, think of how radical it was in Jesus’ day. The religious leaders had added layer upon layer of tradition, defining who was “clean” and who was “unclean,” who was worthy and who wasn’t. But then Jesus comes along, and He doesn’t just speak this message—He lives it out. He treats “outsiders” with honor and respect. He praises the faith of a Roman centurion, calls a despised tax collector to be His disciple, and even heals a Samaritan leper, praising him in front of everyone.

When Jesus healed that Samaritan leper and commended his faith, He wasn’t just being kind; He was challenging everything people thought about who belonged. When He reached out to a eunuch like the Ethiopian official in Acts 8, the message was clear: God’s family includes all who seek Him. Jesus didn’t just welcome the “outsiders”; He went out of His way to show them they belonged. This wasn’t what anyone expected, but it’s exactly what Isaiah had foretold.

Foreigners finding Identity in Devotion to God (6)

Isaiah 56:6 (ESV) — 6 “And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant—

As we move through Isaiah’s words, we see that God’s invitation doesn’t just stop with “outsiders” joining the community. He’s also calling them to something deeper: a new identity marked by devotion to Him. Look at what He asks of the foreigners and eunuchs—He calls them to “hold fast to His covenant” and to “keep the Sabbath.” Now, these aren’t just religious rituals; they’re markers of identity, signs that show a person’s commitment to God.

The Sabbath, in particular, was a powerful symbol. It wasn’t just a day of rest; it was a sign of the covenant between God and His people. Keeping the Sabbath was a public declaration, a way of saying, “I belong to the Lord.” And God was calling these newcomers—people who might have felt like they could never truly fit in—to embrace this as their own. He was giving them the privilege of showing their commitment to Him in a way that was recognizable, tangible, and visible to everyone around them.

This must have felt remarkable for the foreigners and eunuchs. They were no longer defined by their pasts or by what society had said about them. Their identity wasn’t in their heritage or status; it was in their relationship with God. By keeping the Sabbath and holding fast to the covenant, they were declaring to everyone, “I am part of God’s family. I belong here.”

And think about how Jesus emphasized this same truth. Time and again, He showed that a person’s worth and identity come from their relationship with God, not from anything else. When He called fishermen, tax collectors, and zealots to follow Him, He gave them a new identity. When He looked at the Samaritan woman at the well, He didn’t see her failures; He saw her potential as a true worshiper of God. Jesus invited people to a new life defined by devotion to Him.

What markers in our lives show we’re devoted to God? Is it evident in the way we live that our identity is grounded in Him? Do we reflect that we belong to God, or are we more caught up in the values and standards of the world around us?

This is the challenge Isaiah puts before us. God’s invitation to belong is always paired with a call to devotion. Just as He called the foreigners and eunuchs to embrace the Sabbath and the OT covenant, He calls us to live in a way that visibly demonstrates our commitment to Him. This might mean setting aside time for worship, prioritizing our relationship with God, or letting go of things that don’t align with His values.

It’s about embracing a life that says, “I belong to the Lord.” This isn’t just about following a set of rules; it’s about allowing our devotion to God to shape who we are and how we live. And as we do, we find a deeper sense of identity—one that isn’t rooted in the world’s opinion but in God’s unchanging love and faithfulness.

Becoming a House of Prayer for All (7)

Isaiah 56:7 (ESV) — 7 these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

As we come to verse 7, we find one of the most profound statements in this entire passage. God declares, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” This is a staggering statement. For centuries, the temple had been a place for Israel to worship, the central symbol of their identity as God’s chosen people. But here, God reveals a bigger vision—His house is not just for Israel; it’s for everyone who seeks Him.

Imagine how Isaiah’s audience would have received this. The temple wasn’t just any building. It was the most sacred space in Israel, the dwelling place of God’s presence on earth. Yet, God is saying, “This house isn’t just for one nation or one group—it’s a house of prayer for all peoples.” This would have been revolutionary. To suggest that Gentiles, those who hadn’t grown up in the covenant or the law, could come and worship in God’s holy place—that was a completely new and radical idea.

This vision becomes even more powerful when we remember how Jesus took up these words centuries later. When He entered the temple and saw it filled with money changers exploiting worshipers, He quoted this very verse, saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers” (Mark 11:17). Jesus wasn’t just angry about the corruption; He was declaring that God’s house was meant to be open to everyone, and that the barriers people had built were completely against God’s heart.

Jesus wanted His followers to understand that worship is for everyone. He knew that the kingdom of God would bring people from every background, every language, every culture, into one family. And this is what He taught and modeled. He invited Samaritans, Romans, and people from all walks of life to draw near to God. Jesus showed us that God’s family is meant to be radically inclusive, that His house is a place where everyone can come and find grace.

Are we willing to break down our own barriers, to reach out to those who might feel unworthy or excluded? Because if we are going to follow Jesus, we are called to do as He did—to reach beyond our comfort zones, to welcome the people who think they could never belong. And when we do, we are reflecting the heart of God, who has always wanted His family to be open to all.

This isn’t just a nice idea; it’s a life-changing truth. God’s kingdom is for everyone who seeks Him, no matter their background or story. And when we truly understand that, we become a community that looks more and more like Jesus, a community that embodies God’s radical, inclusive love.

Is this a place where anyone—no matter their background, their story, their struggles—can come and seek God? Are we creating a space where people feel truly welcome, where they can experience the grace and love of God without feeling like outsiders?

This isn’t always easy. It requires us to look beyond our own comfort zones and to consider what it means to make room for others. But when we do, we begin to reflect God’s vision for His family—a community that transcends culture, race, and background, united by a shared devotion to Him. This is what God desires, and it’s what Jesus fought for.

Our calling, then, is to make sure this is a place where every person feels like they belong, a place where anyone who seeks God can find Him. If our doors, our hearts, and our lives are open to everyone, we will reflect the vision that God gave to Isaiah and the mission that Jesus fulfilled.

Joining God in His Mission to Gather the Lost (8)

Isaiah 56:8 (ESV) — 8 The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.”

This is where God’s heart is fully revealed. His promise isn’t just to open the door to a few more people—it’s to gather as many as possible, even those far beyond the borders of Israel. This vision of a God who gathers isn’t just about welcoming; it’s about active pursuit. God isn’t passively waiting for people to come to Him; He is going out to bring them in.

Let’s think about what this meant for Isaiah’s audience. Israel saw itself as God’s chosen nation, set apart to reflect His holiness. Their identity was built on being distinct, on being God’s special possession. But here, God breaks down that exclusivity, declaring that His mission goes beyond Israel. He is a God who gathers the “outcasts” and who is always looking to bring in “others”—even those who might seem too distant or too lost.

Consider how this mission shaped everything Jesus did. We see this heart in Jesus’ ministry in the most vivid way. Jesus declared in John 10:16, “I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.” Jesus knew that His mission was to reach beyond the borders of Israel, to gather people from every corner of the earth, creating one family united in Him. He constantly went to the places where the “lost” were—to the tax collectors, the sinners, the people society had given up on. And He didn’t just wait for them to find Him; He sought them out, calling them by name, inviting them to be part of God’s family. His entire ministry was about gathering the lost, bringing the outcasts into a community where they were known, loved, and restored.

Are we willing to join God in His mission to gather the lost? Are we willing to go beyond the walls of the church, to reach out to those who feel far from God, to extend an invitation to people who may feel like they could never belong?

This is a big challenge because it asks us to move beyond our comfort zones. But if we’re truly following Jesus, then His mission becomes our mission. Just as He sought out the lost, we are called to seek them too—to go to the people and places that others might overlook, to show them that they are seen, valued, and wanted by God.

Joining God’s mission means stepping into the world with a heart that mirrors His—a heart that is always open, always gathering, always willing to go the extra mile to bring one more person home. And when we do this, we don’t just reflect God’s heart; we become part of the story He’s writing, the story of a kingdom that is always expanding, always welcoming, and always gathering.

Conclusion

As we look back at Isaiah 56, we see a powerful vision of God’s heart—a heart that has always been wide open, ready to embrace everyone who seeks Him. God called His people to live with justice and righteousness, to reflect His character so that others could see who He truly is. He broke cultural norms by welcoming those whom society had cast aside, extending an invitation to the foreigners, the broken, the forgotten. He declared that His house would be a place of prayer for all people, and He promised to gather every outcast who thought they could never belong.

And then, Jesus came and put this vision into action. In every healing, in every meal with sinners, in every interaction with the rejected and despised, Jesus showed us what it looks like to welcome as God does. He went out of His way to reach people no one else would touch, people who felt they had no place in God’s family. And He called His followers to do the same.

We have to ask ourselves, “Will we be that kind of people?” Will we reflect God’s heart by living out His justice and welcoming those who feel like they’re on the outside? Will we open our doors, our hearts, and our lives to those who are seeking Him, even if they don’t look, act, or think like us?

As we leave here today, let’s hold onto this big picture—God’s family is open to everyone. And His mission is one of constant gathering, always reaching, always making room for more. May we be a church that embodies this vision, that lives out His love in a way that leaves no question about who belongs. Because in God’s family, everyone who seeks Him finds a home.