Eunuchs Receive a Name to TIme Indefinite

Eunuchs, even if they are born of Jewish parents, are denied full membership of the nation of Israel.  (Deuteronomy 23:1)  Among some pagan nations of Bible times, eunuchs  had a special place and it was the custom to castrate some of the children taken captive in war. Eunuchs were appointed as officials in the royal courts.  A eunuch might be a "guardian of the women,"  a "guardian of the concubines," or an attendant of the queen.  (Esther 2:3, 12-15; 4:4-6, 9) There is no evidence that the Israelites followed such practices or that eunuchs were specially sought out for employment in  the service of Israelite kings.

In addition to being able to share in only a limited way in the worship of the true God, physical eunuchs in Israel suffer the great humiliation of being unable to father children to carry on their family name.  How comforting, then, are the next words of the prophecy! We read:  "This is what Jehovah has said to the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths and that have chosen what I have delighted in  and that are laying hold of my covenant:  'I will even give to them in my house and within my walls a monument and a name, something better than sons and daughters.  A name to time indefinite I shall give them, one that will not be cut off.' " -Isaiah 56:4, 5.

Yes, the time will come when being even a physical eunuch will no longer be an impediment to being fully accepted as Jehovah's servant.  If obedient, eunuchs will have "a monument," or a place, in Jehovah's house  and a name, better than sons and daughters.  When does this happen? Not until after the death of Jesus Christ.  At that time the old Law covenant was replaced by the new covenant, and fleshly Israel was replaced by "the Israel of God." (Galatians 6:16) Since then, all of those exercising faith have been able to render acceptable worship to God.  Fleshly distinctions  and physical condition not longer count.  Those who endure faithfully, whatever their physical state, will have "a name to time indefinite . . .one that will not be cut off."  Jehovah will not forget them.  Their names will be written in his "book of remembrance," and in God's due time, they will receive life everlasting. -Malachi 3:16; Proverbs 22:1; 1 John 2:17.

Next time: Foreigners Worship With God's People

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001