Isaiah 56:1-2
Thus says the LORD: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed. 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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Notice how God doesn't just say "my salvation is near," but "my salvation" and "my righteousness." This shows that God's saving action isn't just about rescue; it's intrinsically tied to His own just character being displayed for all to see.
This passage opens a new section in Isaiah, shifting focus from God's promises of future restoration to the immediate responsibilities of the people. It calls for ethical living—justice and righteousness—as a preparation for the imminent arrival of God's salvation and the revelation of His own righteousness, setting the stage for inclusion of all who faithfully embrace God's covenant.
God's commands aren't abstract rules; they are a pathway to experiencing His coming salvation.
The opening of Isaiah 56, 'Keep justice, and do righteousness,' isn't just a moral suggestion. It's a direct command from the LORD, setting the stage for what's to come.
What does this mean?
These aren't separate actions but intertwined practices that reflect a heart rightly related to God and to others. They are the essential preparation for encountering God's salvific presence.
God's salvation isn't just an escape; it's the very act of His righteous character being made known.
The verse says, 'for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed.' It's significant that God pairs 'salvation' and 'righteousness' so closely, even using them almost interchangeably.
The Divine Connection:
Understand the original words
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the covenant God made with Israel, which includes His moral law, His redemptive purposes, and His faithful commitment to His people. It is a binding agreement where God promises blessings for obedience and warns of consequences for disobedience.
tsedaqah · Hebrew Noun
Living in conformity to God’s standard, character, and will; it involves right standing before God and right living toward others. In an evangelical context, it is grounded in God's nature and often results from a relationship with Him.
yeshu'ah · Hebrew Noun
God’s act of rescuing His people from judgment, oppression, or spiritual death. It is ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who delivers humanity from the penalty and power of sin.
This verse calls for ethical living as a prerequisite for experiencing God's promised salvation and righteousness, especially poignant for a people who had faced exile and were now living in expectation of future redemption.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians conquer Judah, destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, and deport many of its citizens. This marks a profound crisis of faith and national identity for the Jewish people.
c. 539 BC
Edict of Cyrus allows return
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon and issues a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple.
c. 515 BC
Second Temple Dedicated
The rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem is dedicated, a significant moment for the returning exiles, though it lacks the glory of Solomon's original Temple.
c. 458-430 BC
Ezra and Nehemiah lead reforms
Ezra and Nehemiah return to Jerusalem, leading reforms to re-establish religious observance and civic order, grappling with intermarriage and adherence to the Law.
This passage echoes the call to 'do justice' and 'love kindness' by highlighting God's fundamental expectation of righteous living and humility over ritual.
Matthew 3:2John the Baptist's proclamation mirrors Isaiah's message by urging repentance ('Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!') as a necessary preparation for God's coming salvation.
Romans 13:11Paul directly alludes to this verse, emphasizing that believers should 'put on the armor of light' because 'salvation is nearer now than when we first believed,' underscoring the urgency for holy living in light of imminent redemption.
Luke 21:31Jesus uses a similar phrase to encourage vigilance, stating that 'when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near,' linking signs of the times to the nearness of God's saving work.
wesleyIsaiah 56:1: "Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed."
56:1 My salvation - That eminent salvation by the Messiah, and in which, without this you shall have no share. Is near - So the scripture often speaks of things which are at a great distance, as if they were present or at hand, Hab 2:3 James 5:8,9 Rev 22:20. My righteousness - The same thing which he called salvation.
cambridgeIsaiah 56:1: "Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed."
1, 2 . The exhortation to righteousness is based on the nearness of Jehovah’s salvation (cf. Isaiah 46:13 , Isaiah 55:6 ). justice should be righteousness (as in R.V.), the same word as in the last line of the verse, but in a different sense. In the first case righteousness means conformity to the law of God (cf. Isaiah 58:2 ), in the second it is, as ofte…
Notice how God doesn't just say "my salvation is near," but "my salvation" and "my righteousness." This shows that God's saving action isn't just about rescue; it's intrinsically tied to His own just character being displayed for all to see.
This passage opens a new section in Isaiah, shifting focus from God's promises of future restoration to the immediate responsibilities of the people. It calls for ethical living—justice and righteousness—as a preparation for the imminent arrival of God's salvation and the revelation of His own righteousness, setting the stage for inclusion of all who faithfully embrace God's covenant.
This passage opens a new section in Isaiah, shifting focus from God's promises of future restoration to the immediate responsibilities of the people. It calls for ethical living—justice and righteousness—as a preparation for the imminent arrival of God's salvation and the revelation of His own righteousness, setting the stage for inclusion of all who faithfully embrace God's covenant.
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This means when we look for God's salvation, we are also looking for His character—His justice, His faithfulness, His goodness—to be fully displayed.
God's promises of near salvation aren't an excuse for complacency, but a call to immediate action.
The prophecy in Isaiah 56:1 isn't just a passive announcement; it carries a sense of urgency. The phrase 'soon... near to come' emphasizes that God’s redemptive actions are imminent.
Why the Urgency?
shabbat · Hebrew Noun
The seventh day of the week, set apart by God at creation and commanded in the Decalogue as a time for rest and worship. It serves as a sign of the covenant between God and His people, honoring His work of creation and redemption.
c. 4th-2nd Century BC
Post-Exilic Period Challenges
The Jewish community faces ongoing struggles with maintaining their religious distinctiveness and national identity under foreign rule, and internal divisions persist.
Early 1st Century AD— this verse
Messianic expectation grows
In the period leading up to Jesus' ministry, there is a heightened expectation among many Jews for a coming deliverer and a renewed era of God's salvation.
"Thus says the LORD: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the S…" — Notice how God doesn't just say "my salvation is near," but "my salvation" and "my righteousness." This shows that God's saving action isn't just about rescue; it's intrinsically tied to His own ju…
