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God First, Man Second: Isaiah 56:1-8

In case you're reading this early on Monday morning and are in no mood for long blog posts, fear not. I'll highlight and merely encourage you to read the rest.

But as I read Isaiah 56:1-8, I realized that it's possible for us to attempt false humility. I know I'm not the first to say that, but I imagine it even possible for me to only say I want insignificance for the sake of gathering a crowd. 'Look at the self-deprecating monkey!'

But truly giving focus to God means realizing how little our position in life means in connection with what God is doing. Here are two examples Isaiah gives us.

“Don’t let foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord say,
‘The Lord will never let me be part of his people.’
And don’t let the eunuchs say,
‘I’m a dried-up tree with no children and no future.’ ~Isaiah 56:3

Understand that as far as exclusive groups went, the Israelites of Old Testament fame were the best at leaving out others. But God had other plans, even while working out His Master Plan.

For this is what the Lord says:
I will bless those eunuchs ~Isaiah 56:4
and...

I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord. ~Isaiah 56:6
and to cement His point...

For the Sovereign Lord,
who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says:
I will bring others, too,
besides my people Israel. ~Isaiah 56:8
It didn't matter who their parents were (foreigners) or how many children they had (eunuchs). What mattered was who they were according to God. So never mind your position or status in life. It's not about you. God can reach you wherever you are! How's that for a way to start out the work week?
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