ESOCS Devotional 3 February 2023
TEXT: ISAIAH 56:1-8
MEMORY VERSE: “Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, ‘The Lord hath utterly separated me from His people: neither let the eunuch say, behold, I am a dry tree.’” Isaiah 56:3
Within the period this book was written, national Israel did not consider any other race as God’s own. They were very prejudiced against them. To be a citizen in Israel, thus God’s own, the Gentile or eunuch must indicate that he had submitted to the law of the covenant, e.g., keeping the Sabbath. The Gentiles and eunuchs were not considered citizens in Israel but outcasts. So, the promise of God was not for them. But the prejudiced Jews had forgotten that they were at one time outcasts among the nations.
However, from our text, the promise (blessing of God) in this context focuses on those whom the nationalistic Jews were prejudiced – the Gentiles and eunuchs. Isaiah clearly proclaimed the message that God’s blessing is for all people; even Gentiles and eunuchs, who were not often considered citizens in Israel.
The message here is that the blessing of God is for every mankind and not restricted to some people, race, social status, financial status, or membership of an organization, church, etc. Again, one does not become God’s own by keeping certain laws. Jesus has broken every such barrier or restriction. God’s blessings are as much for you as for anyone else. No one must exclude in any way those that God chooses to include. Only live a holy and righteous life unto God.
- What or who is excluding you from accessing God’s blessing?
- Pray and ask for God’s blessings upon you.
FURTHER READING: Psalm 24; Psalm 15
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 3 February 2023
