1. Blessed is the one who does what is right (56:1-8)

The Isaianic theme of righteousness is boldly set forth once again, but here it carries a new component: keeping the Sabbath. Indeed, the legalistic tone is surprising in that it was never so stated in the rest of Isaiah.

The inclusion in the Jewish community of foreigners and eunuchs suggests that there must have been some difference of opinion on this matter. The old law of Dt 23:1-6 excluded eunuchs, and the writings of Ezra and Nehemiah were attempts to preserve the community from religious and cultural assimilation. But the focus here is on inclusion, based on faithful obedience and keeping of the Sabbath law.