Sons of the stranger

Sons of the stranger

Scripture:- Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Isaiah 56:6-7

Observation:-

Who are the sons of the stranger? We are. And this Scripture in Isaiah speaks of God accepting us Gentiles, as His own people, His children. In Romans 11, the apostle Paul likens the process of us that “join ourselves to the Lord” as wild olive branches that have been granted into the main olive tree. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, we have been grafted in to become part of the same vine, the same tree. Jesus is the wine and we too are the branches. Our lives, our spiritual food and water flows from Him.

Why were we joined in? To serve Him, to love the name of the Lord! We are not saved by good works, but we are saved unto good works, and our service is done out of love for God. If we work as hard as we can but without love, it counts for nothing, as Paul has so eloquently explained. Hence, love and service are closely intertwined in our Christian lives, as service is the way we show God’s love to others, and our love to Him.

Now, the reference to the Sabbath does not mean that we are required by law to keep the Sabbath like the Jews. In Colossians 2:16-17, Paul explains:- Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:  Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. What were the main things the Lord did on the Sabbath when He came? He healed the sick, He did good and showed mercy to the poor. We are also called to do likewise in showing love to others.

In regard to taking hold of God’s covenant, we are under the new covenant, which is by faith in the blood of Jesus to purify us from our sins and make us righteous because of His death on the cross. We must believe this truth, and our faith in Jesus will save us and give us life to live each day according to His truth through the Holy Spirit.

And in verse 7, Isaiah gives us a wonderful picture of our destiny. God will brings us too to His Holy mountain and make us joyful in His house of prayer. We do not need to sacrifice burnt offerings anymore, but depend on the One all-sufficient perfect Sacrifice, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who took all our sins upon Himself and is accepted by God in atonement for our sins forever.

In the end, God’s house will be called a house of prayer for all people. All the nations will have their representation in the house of God just as all the animals had their representation on Noah’s ark.

Application:- Thank God for joining us to His people, that we too might receive His salvation and blessing.  Remember that service and love must go together. Ask God to give us a loving heart, and to be able to serve out of love. Thank Jesus for His perfect sacrifice on the cross for us that has saved us. Declare praises and thanks to God with joy often.

Prayer:- Father God, we thank You that You provided a way for us to join in and be Your children, Your people and inherit Your salvation and blessing. Give us a heart of deep love and compassion that we might serve You with meaning and purpose. Lord Jesus, thank You for dying for us that we might have life! Let your kingdom come, and your house be filled with the praises of every tribe and tongue and people.