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1 Thus saith the Lord, Keepe yee iudgement, and doe iustice: for my saluation is neere to come, and my righteousnesse to bee reuealed.
2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the sonne of man that layeth holde on it: that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any euill.
3 ¶ Neither let the sonne of the stranger, that hath ioyned himselfe to the Lord, speake, saying, The Lord hath vtterly separated mee from his people: neither let the Eunuch say, Behold, I am a drie tree.
4 For thus saith the Lord vnto the Eunuches that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please mee, and take hold of my couenant:
5 Euen vnto them will I giue in mine house, and within my walles, a place and a name better then of sonnes and of daughters: I wil giue them an euerlasting name, that shal not be cut off.
6 Also the sonnes of the stranger that ioyne themselues to the Lord, to serue him, and to loue the Name of the Lord, to be his seruants, euery one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my Couenant:
7 Euen them will I bring to my holy mountaine, and make them ioyfull in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted vpon mine Altar: for mine house shalbe called an house of prayer for all people.
8 The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel, saith, Yet will I gather others to him, besides those that are gathered vnto him.
9 ¶ All ye beasts of the field, come to deuoure, yea all ye beasts in the forest.
10 His watchmen are blinde: they are all ignorant, they are all dumbe dogs, they cannot barke; sleeping, lying downe, louing to slumber.
11 Yea they are greedy dogges which can neuer haue ynough, and they are shepheards that cannot vnderstand: they all looke to their owne way, euery one for his gaine, from his quarter.
12 Come ye, say they, I wil fetch wine, and we will fill our selues with strong drinke, and to morrow shal be as this day, and much more abundant.
A charge to keep the Divine precepts. (1,2) Blessings promised. (3-8) Reproof to the careless watchmen, the teachers and rulers of the Jews. (9-12)1,2 The Lord tells us what are his expectations of duty from us. Be honest and just in all dealings. Also strictly observe the sabbath day. To have the blessing of God upon employments all the week, make conscience of keeping the sabbath holy. Have nothing to do with sin. Blessed is the man that keeps his hand from all things displeasing to God and hurtful to his own soul. Those who, through the Spirit, wait for the hope of righteousness by faith, will be found walking in ways of holy obedience.
3-8 Unbelief often suggests things to discourage believers, against which God has expressly guarded. Spiritual blessings are unspeakably better than having sons and daughters; for children are a care, and may prove a grief and shame, but the blessings we partake of in God's house, are comforts which cannot be made bitter. Those who love the Lord truly, will serve him faithfully, and then his commandments are not grievous. Three things are promised. Assistance: I will not only bid them welcome, but incline them to come. Acceptance, and comfort: though they came mourning to the house of prayer, they shall go away rejoicing. They shall find ease by casting their cares and burdens upon God. Many a sorrowful spirit has been made joyful in the house of prayer. The Gentiles shall be one body with the Jews, that, as Christ says, #Joh 10:16|, there may be one fold and one Shepherd. Thanks be to God that none are separated from him except by wilful sin and unbelief; and if we come to him, we shall be accepted through the sacrifice of our great High Priest.
9-12 Desolating judgments are called for; and this severe rebuke of the rulers and teachers of the Jewish church, is applicable to other ages and places. It is bad with a people when their shepherds slumber, and are eager after the world. Let us pray the Great Shepherd to send us pastors after his own heart, who will feed us with knowledge, that we may rejoice in his holy name, and that believers may be daily added to the church.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.