In the midst of a section of Isaiah about salvation and grace, we see what is, perhaps, an unexpected show of grace, God’s inclusion of the foreigner. After all, this is the Temple of Israel, right? Israel was God’s chosen people and the rest of the nations were evil. Yet, God desired that all people be able to come and pray at the temple.

To be sure, this is not some modern concept of inclusiveness. God isn’t saying He wanted all people of all faiths to be able to pray in the temple. Rather, He is saying that it is His will that all people have faith in Him and trust in Him and, thus, pray to Him as their one, true God. This would have been scandalous to many in Israel, but what a wonderful scandal it is.

Israel was always intended to be a light to the gentiles. For those gentiles who received faith through that light, they were to be welcomed at the temple. God would receive their sacrifices and hear their prayers. It is with great joy that a gentile, like me, hear these words that God will hear my prayers.

Today, we, the church, are the light to world. Like Israel, we are to shine that light into the darkest corners of the world that those who are far from God may come to know Him as their Lord and Savior. Then they, too, will pray at the house of the Lord. How great is love of Jesus!!