Isaiah Chapter 66
1 The LORD says, "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build to me? Where will I rest?
2 For my hand has made all these things, and so all these things came to be," says the LORD: "but I will look to this man, even to he who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word.
3 He who kills an ox is as he who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, as he who breaks a dog's neck; he who offers an offering, as he who offers pig's blood; he who burns frankincense, as he who blesses an idol. Yes, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations:
4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears on them; because when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, they didn't listen; but they did that which was evil in my eyes, and chose that in which I didn't delight."
5 Hear the LORD's word, you who tremble at his word: "Your brothers who hate you, who cast you out for my name's sake, have said, 'Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy;' but it is those who shall be disappointed.
6 A voice of tumult from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that repays his enemies what they deserve.
7 "Before she travailed, she gave birth. Before her pain came, she delivered a son.
8 Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she gave birth to her children.
9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to be delivered?" says the LORD. "Shall I who cause to give birth shut the womb?" says your God.
10 "Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her. Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn over her;
11 that you may nurse and be satisfied at the comforting breasts; that you may drink deeply, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory."
12 For the LORD says, "Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you will nurse. You will be carried on her side, and will be dandled on her knees.
13 As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem."
14 You will see it, and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones will flourish like the tender grass. The LORD's hand will be known amongst his servants; and he will have indignation against his enemies.
15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and his chariots will be like the whirlwind; to render his anger with fierceness, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For the LORD will execute judgement by fire and by his sword on all flesh; and those slain by the LORD will be many.
17 "Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go to the gardens, behind one in the middle, eating pig's meat, abominable things, and the mouse, they shall come to an end together," says the LORD.
18 "For I know their works and their thoughts. The time comes that I will gather all nations and languages, and they will come, and will see my glory.
19 "I will set a sign amongst them, and I will send those who escape of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to far-away islands, who have not heard my fame, nor have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory amongst the nations.
20 They shall bring all your brothers out of all the nations for an offering to the LORD, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on camels, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, as the children of Israel bring their offering in a clean vessel into the LORD's house.
21 Of them I will also select priests and Levites," says the LORD.
22 "For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me," says the LORD, "so your offspring and your name shall remain.
23 It shall happen that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh will come to worship before me," says the LORD.
24 "They will go out, and look at the dead bodies of the men who have transgressed against me; for their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind."
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Isaiah Chapter 66 Guide
This last chapter is confessedly difficult of interpretation. In it the prophet seems to look beyond all that he has previously described, and to deal with destiny. He first announces anew the fact of the established government of God, and then proceeds to show how that for those who had chosen their own ways He will choose delusions, and that because when He called they did not answer. Those who had trembled at His word He will deliver, in spite of all difficulties.
In the final message the prophet describes the coming of Jehovah with fire, when His chariots will be like the whirlwind. It is a picture of righteous vengeance, proceeding to the establishment of the new heavens and the new earth which are to remain before the Lord.
The last declaration of the great prophecy is one which reminds those who read of the sure and terrible judgment of God on evil, of the one fact which must never be lost sight of, that there can be no peace to the wicked.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Isaiah Chapter 66 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- God looks at the heart, and vengeance is threatened for guilt. -- (1-4)
- The increase of the church, when Jew and Gentile shall be gathered to the Redeemer. -- (5-14)
- Every enemy of the church shall be destroyed, and the final ruin of ungodly men shall be seen. -- (15-24)
Verses 1-4
The Jews gloried much in their temple. But what satisfaction can the Eternal Mind take in a house made with men's hands? God has a heaven and an earth of his own making, and temples of man's making; but he overlooks them, that he may look with favour to him who is poor in spirit and serious, self-abasing and self-denying; whose heart truly sorrows for sin: such a heart is a living temple for God. The sacrifice of the wicked is not only unacceptable, but a great offence to God. And he that now offers a sacrifice after the law, does in effect set aside Christ's sacrifice. He that burns incense, puts contempt upon the incense of Christ's intercession, and is as if he blessed an idol. Men shall be deceived by the vain confidences with which they deceive themselves. Unbelieving hearts, and unpurified consciences, need no more to make them miserable, than to have their own fears brought upon them. Whatever men put in the place of the priesthood, atonement, and intercession of Christ, will be found hateful to God.
Verses 5-14
The prophet turns to those that trembled at God's word, to comfort and encourage them. The Lord will appear, to the joy of the humble believer, and to the confusion of hypocrites and persecutors. When the Spirit was poured out, and the gospel went forth from Zion, multitudes were converted in a little time. The word of God, especially his promises, and ordinances, are the consolations of the church. The true happiness of all Christians is increased by every convert brought to Christ. The gospel brings with it, wherever it is received in its power, such a river of peace, as will carry us to the ocean of boundless and endless bliss. Divine comforts reach the inward man; the joy of the Lord will be the strength of the believer. Both God's mercy and justice shall be manifested, and for ever magnified.
Verses 15-24
A prophetic declaration is given of the Lord's vengeance on all enemies of his church, especially that of all antichristian opposers of the gospel in the latter days. Is. 66:19,20, set forth the abundance of means for conversion of sinners. These expressions are figurative, and express the plentiful and gracious helps for bringing God's elect home to Christ. All shall be welcome; and nothing shall be wanting for their assistance and encouragement. A gospel ministry shall be set up in the church; they would have solemn worship before the Lord. In the last verse the nature of the punishment of sinners in the world to come is represented. Then shall the righteous and wicked be separated. Our Saviour applies this to the everlasting misery and torment of impenitent sinners in the future state. To the honour of that free grace which thus distinguishes them, let the redeemed of the Lord, with humility, and not without holy trembling, sing triumphant songs. With this affecting representation of the opposite states of the righteous and wicked, characters which include the whole human race, Isaiah concludes his prophecies. May God grant, for Christ's sake, that our portion may be with those who fear and love his name, who cleave to his truths, and persevere in every good work, looking to receive from the Lord Jesus Christ the gracious invitation, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.