Read & explore together
Israel’s Sinful Leaders
Isaiah 56:9–12 uses sharp prophetic pictures to expose failed leadership. These verses are not told as a narrative event here, but as a warning: those described as watchmen, dogs, and shepherds are shown as blind, greedy, and careless.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
Within this passage, the message moves from a summons to animals to devour, to a series of descriptions of leaders. They are called blind watchmen, mute and greedy dogs, and shepherds who turn to their own gain. The final verse quotes their words about wine, strong drink, and tomorrow.
Isaiah 56:9–12Main takeaway
This passage warns that leadership is corrupted when those responsible are blind to danger, driven by gain, and confident in careless self-indulgence.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01An opening image of devouringThe passage begins with a summons to the animals of the field and forest to come and devour.
Explanation
The passage begins with a summons to the animals of the field and forest to come and devour. Isaiah does not explain the image in detail here, but it immediately creates a sense of threat rather than safety. The warning tone prepares the reader for the strong criticism that follows in the next verses.
02Blind watchmen and silent dogsThe next verse describes watchmen as blind and without knowledge. It also compares them to mute dogs that cannot bark.
Explanation
The next verse describes watchmen as blind and without knowledge. It also compares them to mute dogs that cannot bark. Both images point to failure in alertness and warning. Instead of watchfulness, the verse shows dreaming, lying down, and loving slumber, adding a picture of neglect and inactivity.
03Greedy shepherds who seek gainIsaiah continues with the image of dogs that are greedy and never have enough. Then he calls them shepherds who cannot understand.
Explanation
Isaiah continues with the image of dogs that are greedy and never have enough. Then he calls them shepherds who cannot understand. Rather than staying on a right path, they have all turned to their own way. Each one seeks gain, so the focus falls on self-interest instead of faithful leadership.
04Words that reveal their attitudeIn the final verse, their own speech exposes them. They call for wine and strong drink, and they speak as if tomorrow will simply continue and become even greater.
Explanation
In the final verse, their own speech exposes them. They call for wine and strong drink, and they speak as if tomorrow will simply continue and become even greater. The verse presents a settled pattern of indulgence and false confidence, showing that their problem is not accidental but willingly embraced.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How do the pictures of watchmen and dogs help explain the leaders’ failure?
Look at the words blind, without knowledge, mute, and can’t bark, and notice how each image shows failure to notice or warn.
02What does verse 11 emphasise about these shepherds?
Pay attention to the phrases can never have enough, turned to their own way, and each one to his gain.
03What do the leaders’ own words show about their outlook?
Their speech centres on wine, strong drink, and confidence about tomorrow, which reveals what they are choosing to pursue.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 56:9–12
9All you animals of the field, come to devour, all you animals in the forest.
10His watchmen are blind. They are all without knowledge. They are all mute dogs. They can’t bark— dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.
11Yes, the dogs are greedy. They can never have enough. They are shepherds who can’t understand. They have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.
12“Come,” they say, “I will get wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be as today, great beyond measure.”