Isaiah summoned the beastly enemies of Israel to come and feed on the flock of God"s people (cf. Jeremiah 12:9; Ezekiel 34:5; Ezekiel 34:8).
The leaders of Israel were responsible for the people"s failure to appreciate the difference between a real relationship with God and membership in the covenant community of Israel. [source][source][source]
"The critique of leadership offered here is wholly one of character not of policy. The opinion that from the point of view of the public it matters only what the government"s policy Isaiah , but the private lives of leaders is their own affair, finds no support. The juxtaposition of Isaiah 56:9-12 with Isaiah 57:1-21 insists that private wrong and public right do not co-exist." [1][source]
Context Summary
Isaiah 56:1-12 - The Blessedness Of Sabbath-Keeping
The bright array of Messianic promises, which occupied the preceding chapters, is now followed by a portion of less interest, seeing that our attention is not now fastened on Christ, but on Israel. Birk calls this sermon "The Middle Ages of Delay," and says: "This new section of advice and warning belongs to this whole period from Isaiah to Christ. The like message applies now to the Church of Christ and its prospect of the Second Advent."
Special emphasis is laid on Sabbath-keeping because it was the special sign of God's connection with Israel. See Exodus 31:13-17; Ezekiel 20:12. It was also a type and pledge of the redemption rest, soon to be brought in and perfected by Christ's finished work, Hebrews 4:9-10.
What an ideal is presented here for character and conduct! To keep God's rest in our heart-the rest of faith; to cease from ourselves; to be joined to the Lord by one Spirit; to minister to Him; to love His name; to be His servants! What more could we imagine as characteristic of the Christian soul! Let us ask God to bring us to His "holy mountain" and to make us "joyful" in His "house of prayer." [source]
Chapter Summary: Isaiah 56
1The prophet exhorts to sanctification 3He promises it shall be general, without respect of persons 9He protests against blind watchmen
What do the individual words in Isaiah 56:9 mean?
Allyou beastsof the fieldcometo devourallin the forest-