66:1Even the beautiful Temple in Jerusalem was woefully inadequate for a God who is present everywhere. God cannot be confined to any human structure (see 2 Chronicles 6:18; Acts 7:49, 50). This chapter is a fitting climax to the book. God will lift up the humble, judge all people, destroy the wicked, bring ail believers together, and establish the new heavens and the new earth. Let this hope encourage you each day.
Life Application Study BibleIsaiahChapter 66
Isaiah 66
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1194, 1195, 1196
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66Isaiah 66
1This is what the LORD says:“Heaven is my throne,and the earth is my footstool.Could you build me a temple as good as that?Could you build me such a resting place?
2My hands have made both heaven and earth;they and everything in them are mine.*I, the LORD, have spoken!“Twill bless those who have humble and contrite hearts,who tremble at my word.
3But those who choose their own ways—delighting in their detestable sins—will not have their offerings accepted.When such people sacrifice a bull,it is no more acceptable than a human sacrifice.When they sacrifice a lamb,it's as though they had sacrificed a dog!When they bring an offering of grain,they might as well offer the blood of a pig.When they burn frankincense,it’s as if they had blessed an idol.
4 will send them great trouble—all the things they feared.For when I called, they did not answer.When I spoke, they did not listen.They deliberately sinned before my very eyesand chose to do what they know I despise.”
5Hear this message from the LORD,all you who tremble at his words:“Your own people hate youand throw you out for being loyal to my name.‘Let the LORD be honored!’ they scoff.‘Be joyful in him!’But they will be put to shame.
6What is all the commotion in the city?What is that terrible noise from the Temple?It is the voice of the LORDtaking vengeance against his enemies.
7“Before the birth pains even begin,Jerusalem gives birth to a son.
8Who has ever seen anything as strange as this?Who ever heard of such a thing?Has a nation ever been born in a single day?Has a country ever come forth in a mere moment?But by the time Jerusalem’s* birth pains begin,her children will be born.
9Would I ever bring this nation to the point of birthand then not deliver it?” asks the LORD.“No! I would never keep this nation from being born,”says your God.
10“Rejoice with Jerusalem!Be glad with her, all you who love herand all you who mourn for her.
11Drink deeply of her gloryeven as an infant drinks at its mother’s comforting breasts.”
12This is what the LORD says:“T will give Jerusalem a river of peace and prosperity.The wealth of the nations will flow to her.Her children will be nursed at her breasts,carried in her arms, and held on her lap.
13J will comfort you there in Jerusalemas a mother comforts her child.”
14When you see these things, your heart will rejoice.You will flourish like the grass!Everyone will see the LORD’s hand of blessing on his servants—and his anger against his enemies.
15See, the LORD is coming with fire,and his swift chariots roar like a whirlwind.He will bring punishment with the fury of his angerand the flaming fire of his hot rebuke.
16The LORD will punish the world by fireand by his sword.
He will judge the earth,and many will be killed by him.
17Those who ‘consecrate’ and ‘purify’ themselves in a sacred garden with its idol in the center—feasting on pork and rats and other detestable meats—will come to a terrible end,” says the LORD. 18“T can see what they are doing, and I know what they are thinking. So! will gather all nations and peoples together, and they will see my glory. 19I will perform a sign among them. And I will send those who survive to be messengers to the nations—to Tarshish, to the Libyans* and Lydians* (who are famous as archers), to Tubal and Greece,* and to all the lands beyond the sea that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. There they will declare my glory to the nations. 20They will bring the remnant of your people back from every nation. They will bring them to my holy mountain in Jerusalem as an offering to the LORD. They will ride on horses, in chariots and wagons, and on mules and camels,” says the LORD. 21“And I will appoint some of them to be my priests and Levites. I, the LORD, have spoken!
22“As surely as my new heavens and earth will remain,so will you always be my people,with a name that will never disappear,”says the LORD.
23“All humanity will come to worship mefrom week to weekand from month to month.
24And as they go out, they will seethe dead bodies of those who have rebelled against me.For the worms that devour them will never die,and the fire that burns them will never go out.All who pass bywill view them with utter horror.”
Textual footnotes
- 66:2 As in Greek, Latin, and Syriac versions; Hebrew reads these things are.
- 66:8 Hebrew Zion's.
- 66:19a As in some Greek manuscripts, which read Put [that is, Libya}; Hebrew reads Pul.
- 66:19b Hebrew Lud. 66:19¢ Hebrew Javan.
Life Application Notes 5 notes
66:2,3These key verses summarize Isaiah's message. He contrasted humble persons, who have a profound reverence for God's messages and their application to life, with those who choose their own ways. The sacrifices of the arrogant were only external compliance. In their hearts they were murderers, perverts, and idolaters. God shows mercy to the humble, but he curses the proud and self-sufficient (see Luke 1:51-53). Our society urges us to be assertive and to affirm ourselves. Don’t let your freedom and right to choose lead you away from God's pathway to eternal life.
96:5Hezekiah put great trust in Pharaoh’s promise to help Israel against the Assyrians, but promises are only as good as the credibility of the person making them. It was Pharaoh’s word against God’s. How quickly we seek human advice when dealing with our Problems while we neglect God’s eternal promises. When choosing between God’s Word and someone else’s, whose will you believe?
66:19God’s people will go out as missionaries to all parts of the earth—to Tarshish (Spain), to the Libyans in northern Africa, to the Lydians in western Asia Minor, to northeastern Asia Minor (Tubal), and to Greece.
66:22-24Isaiah brings his book to a close with great drama. For the faithless there is a sobering portrayal of judgment. For the faithful, there is a glorious picture of rich reward: “So will you always be my people, with a name that will never disappear.” The contrast is so striking that it would seem that everyone would want to be God’s follower. But we are often just as rebellious, foolish, and reluctant ta change as the Israelites. We are just as negligent in feeding the hungry, working for justice, obeying God's Word, and taking up his causes. Make sure you are among those who will be richly blessed.
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ee ——eS—wuee_ 66:7-9 God will not leave his work of national restoration 66:15-17 This is a vivid picture of the great judgment that will unfinished. In this image of birth, God shows that he will accom- occur at Christ's second coming (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). plish what he has promised. It is as unstoppable as the birth of a baby. When all the pain is over, the joy begins.
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