In this chapter, God gathers the outcasts of Israel (mentioning the stranger, or foreigner, and the eunuch) and gives them a prominent place in His covenant. They will be blessed as God makes His house a house of prayer for all people. Yet, God continues to be angry with the shepherds who serve themselves alone and live as greedy dogs.

What Does It Say?

1. The Lord declares: “for my _____________ is near to come, and my _______________ to be revealed.
2. God promises the faithful eunuchs a name better than of ________ and of ___________.
3. God plans to bring the outcasts to His holy mountain and make them __________ in His house of prayer.
4. “His watchmen are _______; they are all ____________, they are all _________ dogs.”
5. The greedy dogs believe that tomorrow shall be as this ________, and much more _____________.

What Does It Mean?

1. In this chapter, the eunuch is compared to a dry tree (v.3). Why is the eunuch compared to a dry tree? Read verse five. How is God going to remedy the problem of the eunuch?
2. The stranger in scripture is the foreigner; that is, the non-Jew. What is being promised to the sons of the stranger in verse six? When do you think this will be fulfilled? What does God call “my holy mountain” (v.7)?
3. Verse 8 states, “The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.” What do you think this verse is talking about?  Read John 10:16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
   See All... and tell how these two verses compare.

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. God promised that His “house shall be called an house of prayer for all people” (v.7). What do you think this means? How was this not yet true in Old Testament times? What is Jesus teaching when He quotes this verse (see Matthew 21:13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
   See All...; Mark 11:17And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
   See All...; Luke 19:46Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
   See All...)?
2. Verses 10-12 compare wicked leaders to dogs. Using this passage as a starting point, make your own comparison. According to these verses, how are wicked leaders like dogs? Can you think of any other common characteristics?

Suggested Memory Verses

Isaiah 56:7-8 [7] 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. [8] The Lord GOD, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
See All..., Isaiah 56:10-11 [10] His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. [11] Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
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