Isaiah 56–60
The Holy Bible interpreted through Divine Principle insight and the words of True Father.
This study page continues Isaiah with chapters 56 through 60. Commentary is attached where the text strongly reflects Divine Principle themes such as the inclusion of the stranger and eunuch, the failure of blind watchmen, false and true fasting, sin as a barrier from God, the divine warrior bringing justice, and the rising glory of Zion for the nations.
56:1–2 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice... Blessed is the man that doeth this... that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it...
56:3–5 Neither let the son of the stranger... say, The LORD hath utterly separated me... neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus saith the LORD... even unto them will I give in mine house... a name better than of sons and of daughters...
56:6–8 Also the sons of the stranger... every one that keepeth the sabbath... even them will I bring to my holy mountain... for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him...
56:9–12 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour... His watchmen are blind... they are all dumb dogs... shepherds that cannot understand...
57:1–2 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart... he shall enter into peace...
57:3–10 But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress... enflaming yourselves with idols... upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed... thou wentest to the king with ointment...
57:13–15 When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee... but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land... For thus saith the high and lofty One... I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit...
57:18–21 I have seen his ways, and will heal him... Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near... But the wicked are like the troubled sea... There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
Isaiah 57 contrasts the quiet passing of the righteous with the exposed uncleanness of idolatrous and adulterous ways. Divine Principle strongly resonates because fallen love, false worship, and prideful self-seeking remain central marks of deviation from Heaven’s order.
One of the great verses in Isaiah says that the high and lofty One dwells with the contrite and humble. True Father often emphasized that God is not found through arrogance or outward display, but through humility, repentance, and attendance of heart.
God promises healing and peace to the far and near, yet ends by declaring there is no peace for the wicked. This strongly resonates with the providential law that peace is not sentiment alone but the fruit of restored order and repentance.
58:1–3 Cry aloud... shew my people their transgression... Wherefore have we fasted... and thou seest not? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
58:4–7 Ye fast for strife and debate... Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness... to undo the heavy burdens... and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry...?
58:8–12 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning... thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
58:13–14 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath... then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD...
Isaiah 58 strongly exposes religion without heart and justice. Divine Principle strongly resonates because God does not accept outward conditions while oppression, strife, and self-centeredness continue underneath.
The result of true fasting is light, healing, guidance, and restoration of the breach. True Father often emphasized that real spiritual life must heal the world, restore broken places, and create paths where people can dwell in righteousness.
The chapter ends by linking delight in the LORD with right keeping of holy time. This strongly resonates with the principle that sacred time is not a burden when the heart is aligned with Heaven.
59:1–2 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save... but your iniquities have separated between you and your God...
59:3–8 For your hands are defiled with blood... they hatch cockatrice' eggs... the way of peace they know not...
59:9–15 Therefore is judgment far from us... we wait for light, but behold obscurity... truth is fallen in the street... yea, truth faileth...
59:16–20 And he saw that there was no man... therefore his arm brought salvation unto him... he put on righteousness as a breastplate... And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob...
59:21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words... shall not depart...
Isaiah 59 states plainly that the problem is not a weak God but separated people. Divine Principle strongly resonates because sin creates real separation from Heaven, and the result is darkness, injustice, failed truth, and social confusion.
One of the most powerful lines is that God saw there was no man, so His own arm brought salvation. True Father often emphasized how often Heaven has found no adequate human response and has therefore had to move with direct intervention through a specially prepared providential course.
The covenant is renewed through Spirit and Word that do not depart. This strongly resonates with the need for a lasting transmission of Heaven’s life, truth, and tradition through generations.
60:1–3 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee... and the Gentiles shall come to thy light...
60:4–9 Lift up thine eyes round about... thy sons shall come from far... the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee...
60:10–16 And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls... I will make thee an eternal excellency... thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles...
60:17–22 For brass I will bring gold... Violence shall no more be heard in thy land... the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light... thy people also shall be all righteous... a little one shall become a thousand...
Isaiah 60 is one of the great glory chapters. Divine Principle strongly resonates because Zion becomes a light-center to which the nations come. This matches the ideal of a restored central place radiating Heaven’s glory into the world.
The sons of strangers build and serve, not as domination but as participation in Heaven’s restored order. True Father often emphasized that the nations must eventually support and enter the providential center rather than oppose it.
The end is transformed substance, no more violence, everlasting light, and a fully righteous people. This strongly resonates with the completed providence: a world where God’s light replaces lesser lights and multiplication happens under righteousness rather than under the fall.
Isaiah 56 is remarkable for its widening embrace. Divine Principle strongly resonates because the holy mountain and covenant life are opened not only to the old center but also to strangers and those who seemed excluded, provided they join Heaven’s way. This points to a providence that widens beyond old boundaries while remaining centered on God’s order.
The contrast is sharp: while outsiders may be welcomed, blind watchmen within the house fail their responsibility. True Father often emphasized that chosen position means little if leaders become asleep, selfish, and unable to guard the providence.