Isaiah 66 Study Notes: The Humble Esteemed and the Nations Gathered
The LORD, whose throne is heaven, values the humble who revere His word over empty sacrifices. Zion suddenly bears a nation and is comforted by God as by a mother. He comes in fiery judgment, gathers the nations to see His glory, and promises His people will endure, while rebels face lasting punishment.
General
In 66:20, to what does the LORD compare the bringing of the scattered brothers to Jerusalem?
Answer: Israelites bringing a gift to God in a pure container
All the scattered brothers of God's people will be brought from every land to His holy mountain in Jerusalem, on horses, chariots, wagons, mules, and camels, presented to the LORD, the way Israelites carry a gift to God's house in a clean container (66:20). The LORD adds that He will choose some of them to serve as priests and as Levites (66:21); some take these chosen ones to be the returning brothers, while others take them to be people from the nations. Paul uses similar offering language when he describes his ministry to the Gentiles as priestly service, by which the Gentiles become an offering pleasing to God (Romans 15:16). Isaiah had already promised that foreigners who bound themselves to Him would be welcome in His house (Isaiah 56:6-7), and Peter calls all believers a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).
- Isaiah 66:20-21 (BSB)“And they will bring all your brothers from all the nations as a gift to the LORD on horses and chariots and wagons, on mules and camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the LORD, “just as the Israelites bring an offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD.” “And I will select some of them as priests and Levites,” says the LORD.”The scattered brothers are brought to the LORD like an offering, and some are chosen as priests and Levites.
- Romans 15:16 (BSB)“to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”Paul speaks of the Gentiles becoming an offering acceptable to God through his ministry.
- Isaiah 56:6-7 (BSB)“And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants—all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant— I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.””Isaiah promised that foreigners who join themselves to the LORD would be accepted in His house.
- 1 Peter 2:9 (BSB)“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”Peter calls believers a royal priesthood.
Theological
What comparison does 66:20 use for the bringing of the scattered brothers to the LORD's holy mountain?
Answer: Israelites bringing a gift to God in a pure container
The scattered brothers will be brought from every land to the LORD's holy mountain, by horse, chariot, wagon, mule, and camel, as an offering to Him, likened to Israelites bringing a gift in a pure container to His house (66:20). The LORD adds that He will take some of them to serve as priests and as Levites (66:21); some read these as drawn from the returning brothers, others as drawn from the nations. Paul uses the same offering language for his apostolic ministry, describing the Gentiles as an offering that pleases God (Romans 15:16). Isaiah had promised foreigners joined to the LORD a welcome in His house (Isaiah 56:6-7), and Peter calls believers a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).
- Isaiah 66:20-21 (BSB)“And they will bring all your brothers from all the nations as a gift to the LORD on horses and chariots and wagons, on mules and camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the LORD, “just as the Israelites bring an offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD.” “And I will select some of them as priests and Levites,” says the LORD.”The scattered brothers are brought to the LORD like an offering, and some are chosen as priests and Levites.
- Romans 15:16 (BSB)“to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”Paul speaks of the Gentiles becoming an offering acceptable to God through his ministry.
- Isaiah 56:6-7 (BSB)“And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants—all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant— I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.””Isaiah promised that foreigners who join themselves to the LORD would be accepted in His house.
- 1 Peter 2:9 (BSB)“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”Peter calls believers a royal priesthood.
General
In 66:5 the LORD comforts those who revere His word. Who has been mocking them?
Answer: Their own kinsmen who hated and shut them out
The LORD speaks to people who stand in awe of His word: their own brothers, who hate them and push them out because of His name, have mocked them, saying in effect that God should show His glory so they can see this joy of theirs (66:5). But the mockers will end in disgrace. Then a loud noise rises from the city and the sanctuary, as the LORD pays back His foes (66:6). Jesus warned His disciples that they would be expelled from the synagogues (John 16:2) and hated by the world as He was (John 15:18-19), and He called those insulted for His sake blessed (Matthew 5:11-12).
- Isaiah 66:5-6 (BSB)“You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD: “Your brothers who hate you and exclude you because of My name have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified that we may see your joy!’ But they will be put to shame.” Hear the uproar from the city; listen to the voice from the temple! It is the voice of the LORD, repaying His enemies what they deserve!”The faithful are mocked and excluded by their own brothers, but the LORD will repay His enemies.
- John 16:2 (BSB)“They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.”Jesus warns His followers they will be put out of the synagogues by those who think they serve God.
- John 15:18-19 (BSB)“If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.”Jesus says the world will hate His disciples as it hated Him.
- Matthew 5:11-12 (BSB)“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.”Jesus calls blessed those who are insulted and persecuted because of Him.
Theological
According to 66:5, who mocks those who tremble at the LORD's word?
Answer: Their own kinsmen who hated and shut them out
The LORD addresses people who stand in awe of His word: their own brothers, who hate them and cast them out for His name's sake, taunt them by calling on the LORD to be glorified so they may see their joy (66:5). The scoffers will end in disgrace, and a roar from the city and the sanctuary announces the LORD paying back His foes (66:6). Jesus foretold the same pattern for His disciples: expulsion from the synagogues (John 16:2), the world's hatred (John 15:18-19), and blessing for those reviled on His account (Matthew 5:11-12).
- Isaiah 66:5-6 (BSB)“You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD: “Your brothers who hate you and exclude you because of My name have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified that we may see your joy!’ But they will be put to shame.” Hear the uproar from the city; listen to the voice from the temple! It is the voice of the LORD, repaying His enemies what they deserve!”The faithful are mocked and excluded by their own brothers, but the LORD will repay His enemies.
- John 16:2 (BSB)“They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.”Jesus warns His followers they will be put out of the synagogues by those who think they serve God.
- John 15:18-19 (BSB)“If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.”Jesus says the world will hate His disciples as it hated Him.
- Matthew 5:11-12 (BSB)“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.”Jesus calls blessed those who are insulted and persecuted because of Him.
General
In 66:10-13, to what does the LORD compare the comfort He will give His people?
Answer: A mother soothing and caring for her own child
Everyone who loves Jerusalem and has grieved over her is called to rejoice with her, finding nourishment and delight in her abundance like a child at its mother's side (66:10-11). The LORD will make peace flow to her as a river does and send the riches of other nations pouring in (66:12). Then He says that He will comfort His people the way a mother soothes her child, and they will find consolation concerning Jerusalem (66:13). The comfort for God's people announced in Isaiah 40:1 reaches a tender climax here. Isaiah had already said God remembers His people more surely than a nursing mother (Isaiah 49:15), and Paul praises God as the source of every comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
- Isaiah 66:10-13 (BSB)“Be glad for Jerusalem and rejoice over her, all who love her. Rejoice greatly with her, all who mourn over her, so that you may nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you may drink deeply and delight yourselves in her glorious abundance. For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flowing stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm, and bounced upon her knees. As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you, and you will be consoled over Jerusalem.””Those who love Jerusalem are called to rejoice, and the LORD promises peace like a river and comfort like a mother's for her son.
- Isaiah 40:1 (BSB)““Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God.”The LORD had commanded comfort for His people, the theme 66:13 completes.
- Isaiah 49:15 (BSB)““Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!”God's care for His people is even surer than a nursing mother's.
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (BSB)“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”Paul praises God as the Father of compassion and God of all comfort.
Theological
What comparison does the LORD use for His comfort in 66:10-13?
Answer: A mother soothing and caring for her own child
Those who love Jerusalem and mourned over her are summoned to rejoice and to be nourished by her abundance (66:10-11). The LORD will make peace flow to her as a river does and send the riches of other peoples pouring in (66:12), and He likens His own comfort to a mother's comfort of her child (66:13). The comfort announced in 40:1 reaches its climax in this maternal image. Isaiah had already declared God's remembrance surer than a nursing mother's (Isaiah 49:15), and Paul blesses God as the source of every comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
- Isaiah 66:10-13 (BSB)“Be glad for Jerusalem and rejoice over her, all who love her. Rejoice greatly with her, all who mourn over her, so that you may nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you may drink deeply and delight yourselves in her glorious abundance. For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flowing stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm, and bounced upon her knees. As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you, and you will be consoled over Jerusalem.””Those who love Jerusalem are called to rejoice, and the LORD promises peace like a river and comfort like a mother's for her son.
- Isaiah 40:1 (BSB)““Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God.”The LORD had commanded comfort for His people, the theme 66:13 completes.
- Isaiah 49:15 (BSB)““Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!”God's care for His people is even surer than a nursing mother's.
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (BSB)“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”Paul praises God as the Father of compassion and God of all comfort.
General
In 66:22, what does the LORD say will last just as surely as the new creation He will make?
Answer: The offspring and name of the LORD's people
The LORD promises that, as surely as the new creation He will make will last before Him, so the offspring and name of His people will last (66:22). Every month and every Sabbath, all humanity will come and worship Him (66:23). God's people are as secure as the new creation itself, because God Himself keeps them. Peter speaks of believers waiting, as God promised, for the renewed heaven and earth (2 Peter 3:13), and John sees that new creation, where God lives with His people (Revelation 21:1-4). Jesus said His sheep can never be taken out of His hand (John 10:28).
- Isaiah 66:22-23 (BSB)““For just as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, will endure before Me,” declares the LORD, “so your descendants and your name will endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come to worship before Me,” says the LORD.”The LORD ties the endurance of His people to the endurance of the new heavens and new earth.
- 2 Peter 3:13 (BSB)“But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”Peter says believers await the new heaven and new earth God promised.
- Revelation 21:1-4 (BSB)“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.””John sees the new heaven and earth, where God dwells with His people.
- John 10:28 (BSB)“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.”Jesus says no one can snatch His sheep out of His hand.
Theological
What does 66:22 say will endure as surely as the new creation?
Answer: The offspring and name of the LORD's people
The LORD grounds the permanence of His people in the permanence of the new creation: as the new creation will endure before Him, so will their offspring and name (66:22), and all humanity will come and worship Him from month to month and Sabbath to Sabbath (66:23). The security of God's people rests on His own keeping, the same certainty as His new creation. Peter speaks of awaiting the renewed heaven and earth according to God's promise (2 Peter 3:13), John sees God dwelling with His people there (Revelation 21:1-4), and Jesus affirms that none can snatch His sheep from His hand (John 10:28).
- Isaiah 66:22-23 (BSB)““For just as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, will endure before Me,” declares the LORD, “so your descendants and your name will endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come to worship before Me,” says the LORD.”The LORD ties the endurance of His people to the endurance of the new heavens and new earth.
- 2 Peter 3:13 (BSB)“But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”Peter says believers await the new heaven and new earth God promised.
- Revelation 21:1-4 (BSB)“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.””John sees the new heaven and earth, where God dwells with His people.
- John 10:28 (BSB)“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.”Jesus says no one can snatch His sheep out of His hand.
General
What point does the LORD make in 66:1-2 about any house people might build for Him?
Answer: The Maker of all things cannot be contained in a building
The LORD says that He is enthroned in the sky and rests His feet on the earth, so what sort of dwelling could anyone build for Him, or where could He settle down to rest (66:1)? His own hand made everything that exists (66:2). The point is that the Creator of all things is far too great to be contained in any building. Solomon said the same when he dedicated the temple (1 Kings 8:27). In Acts 7:48-50 Stephen quotes these verses to show that God Most High is not housed in buildings people make, and Paul told the Athenians that the Lord of all creation is not housed in shrines people build (Acts 17:24).
- Isaiah 66:1-2 (BSB)“This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be? Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.”The LORD asks what house could hold the One whose throne is heaven and whose hand made all things.
- 1 Kings 8:27 (BSB)“But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.”Solomon confesses that even the highest heavens cannot contain God, much less the temple.
- Acts 7:48-50 (BSB)“However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? Has not My hand made all these things?’”Stephen quotes 66:1-2 to show that the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands.
- Acts 17:24 (BSB)“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands.”Paul tells the Athenians that the Lord of heaven and earth does not live in temples made by hands.
Theological
What does the LORD assert in 66:1-2 regarding a house built for Him?
Answer: The Maker of all things cannot be contained in a building
In 66:1-2 the LORD declares heaven His throne and earth His footstool, asks what house could be built for Him or where His resting place could be, and grounds the challenge in creation, since He made everything there is. The Creator cannot be confined to a structure, as Solomon confessed at the temple's dedication (1 Kings 8:27). Stephen cites the passage in Acts 7:48-50 to argue that God Most High is not housed in buildings people make, and Paul makes the same point at Athens (Acts 17:24).
- Isaiah 66:1-2 (BSB)“This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be? Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.”The LORD asks what house could hold the One whose throne is heaven and whose hand made all things.
- 1 Kings 8:27 (BSB)“But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.”Solomon confesses that even the highest heavens cannot contain God, much less the temple.
- Acts 7:48-50 (BSB)“However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? Has not My hand made all these things?’”Stephen quotes 66:1-2 to show that the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands.
- Acts 17:24 (BSB)“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands.”Paul tells the Athenians that the Lord of heaven and earth does not live in temples made by hands.
General
According to 66:2, whom does the LORD look upon with favor?
Answer: The lowly, broken-hearted person who fears His word
Right after saying no building can hold Him, the LORD names the kind of person He values: someone who is lowly, sorry for sin (contrite), and who trembles with reverence at His word (66:2). God is not impressed by grand buildings or sacrifices but by a humble heart. Isaiah had already said that the high and holy God lives with the lowly and the contrite to revive them (Isaiah 57:15). David wrote that God will not despise a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17), and Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount by blessing those who know their spiritual poverty (Matthew 5:3). In Ezra's day, those who trembled at God's words gathered to grieve over the people's sin (Ezra 9:4).
- Isaiah 66:2 (BSB)“Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.”The LORD says He esteems the humble and contrite person who trembles at His word.
- Isaiah 57:15 (BSB)“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.”The high and holy God says He dwells with the contrite and humble in spirit.
- Psalm 51:17 (BSB)“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”David says God will not despise a broken and contrite heart.
- Matthew 5:3 (BSB)““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”Jesus calls the poor in spirit blessed, the same lowliness God esteems in 66:2.
- Ezra 9:4 (BSB)“Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of the unfaithfulness of the exiles, while I sat there in horror until the evening offering.”Those who trembled at God's words gathered to grieve over sin, showing what such reverence looks like.
Theological
Whom does the LORD say He will esteem in 66:2?
Answer: The lowly, broken-hearted person who fears His word
Having denied that any house could contain Him, the LORD names the one He esteems: the lowly person with a contrite spirit who trembles before His word (66:2). God's regard rests not on structures or ritual but on a heart brought low before Him. The same God who inhabits eternity dwells with the contrite and lowly (Isaiah 57:15); He does not despise a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17); Jesus pronounces a blessing on the spiritually poor (Matthew 5:3); and in Ezra's day those who trembled at God's words gathered in grief over Israel's unfaithfulness (Ezra 9:4).
- Isaiah 66:2 (BSB)“Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.”The LORD says He esteems the humble and contrite person who trembles at His word.
- Isaiah 57:15 (BSB)“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.”The high and holy God says He dwells with the contrite and humble in spirit.
- Psalm 51:17 (BSB)“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”David says God will not despise a broken and contrite heart.
- Matthew 5:3 (BSB)““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”Jesus calls the poor in spirit blessed, the same lowliness God esteems in 66:2.
- Ezra 9:4 (BSB)“Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of the unfaithfulness of the exiles, while I sat there in horror until the evening offering.”Those who trembled at God's words gathered to grieve over sin, showing what such reverence looks like.
General
According to 66:14-16, how does the LORD's coming affect His servants and His enemies?
Answer: His servants see His hand while His enemies meet His wrath
When God's people see His work, they will rejoice and thrive like fresh grass; His power will be shown for the good of those who serve Him, while His anger falls on His foes (66:14). The LORD will arrive in fire, His chariots like a storm wind, to pour out His anger and rebuke, and He will judge all people by fire and sword (66:15-16). Those who prepare themselves for idol rites in sacred groves and eat foods God called unclean will perish together (66:17). Paul uses similar language for the day the Lord Jesus appears from heaven in blazing fire and brings judgment on people who have not known God (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9), and John the Baptist said the coming One would gather the wheat and burn the chaff (Matthew 3:12).
- Isaiah 66:14-17 (BSB)“When you see, you will rejoice, and you will flourish like grass; then the hand of the LORD will be revealed to His servants, but His wrath will be shown to His enemies. For behold, the LORD will come with fire—His chariots are like a whirlwind—to execute His anger with fury and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD. “Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves—to follow one in the center of those who eat the flesh of swine and vermin and rats—will perish together,” declares the LORD.”The LORD's hand is revealed to His servants and His wrath to His enemies as He comes in fire.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 (BSB)“and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,”Paul describes the Lord Jesus revealed in blazing fire, bringing relief to His people and judgment on those who do not know God.
- Matthew 3:12 (BSB)“His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.””John the Baptist says the coming One will gather the wheat and burn the chaff.
Theological
How does 66:14-16 distinguish the effect of the LORD's coming on His servants and on His enemies?
Answer: His servants see His hand while His enemies meet His wrath
The coming of the LORD divides: His servants rejoice and flourish like grass as His hand is revealed for them, while His indignation falls on His foes (66:14). He comes with fire and whirlwind chariots to render His anger and rebuke, judging all flesh by fire and sword (66:15-16), and those who sanctify themselves for idol rites in the groves and eat unclean food perish together (66:17). Paul uses the same imagery for the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven in flaming fire, bringing judgment on people who have not known God (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9), and John the Baptist speaks of the coming One gathering wheat and burning chaff (Matthew 3:12).
- Isaiah 66:14-17 (BSB)“When you see, you will rejoice, and you will flourish like grass; then the hand of the LORD will be revealed to His servants, but His wrath will be shown to His enemies. For behold, the LORD will come with fire—His chariots are like a whirlwind—to execute His anger with fury and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD. “Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves—to follow one in the center of those who eat the flesh of swine and vermin and rats—will perish together,” declares the LORD.”The LORD's hand is revealed to His servants and His wrath to His enemies as He comes in fire.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 (BSB)“and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,”Paul describes the Lord Jesus revealed in blazing fire, bringing relief to His people and judgment on those who do not know God.
- Matthew 3:12 (BSB)“His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.””John the Baptist says the coming One will gather the wheat and burn the chaff.
General
In 66:18-19 the LORD says He will send survivors to distant nations. What will they do there?
Answer: Proclaim the LORD's glory to those who never heard
The LORD, who knows what people do and think, says He is coming to gather every nation and language so that they may behold His glory (66:18). He will place a sign in their midst and send survivors to faraway places, such as Tarshish, Put, Lud, Tubal, Javan, and distant coastlands, peoples who have never heard of His fame or seen His glory, and they will make His glory known to the peoples (66:19). The psalms had called God's people to tell the peoples of His glory (Psalm 96:3). This vision points toward Jesus' command to make disciples among every people (Matthew 28:19) and John's vision of a countless crowd drawn from all peoples and languages before God's throne (Revelation 7:9).
- Isaiah 66:18-19 (BSB)““And I, knowing their deeds and thoughts, am coming to gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see My glory. I will establish a sign among them, and I will send survivors from among them to the nations—to Tarshish, Put, and the archers of Lud; to Tubal, Javan, and the islands far away who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. So they will proclaim My glory among the nations.”The LORD gathers the nations and sends survivors to proclaim His glory to peoples who have not heard.
- Psalm 96:3 (BSB)“Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.”The psalmist calls for God's glory to be declared among the nations.
- Matthew 28:19 (BSB)“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”Jesus sends His disciples to make disciples of all nations.
- Revelation 7:9 (BSB)“After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.”John sees a countless multitude from every nation and tongue before the throne.
Theological
What mission does 66:18-19 give to the survivors sent out to distant nations?
Answer: Proclaim the LORD's glory to those who never heard
The LORD, knowing their works and thoughts, announces that He will gather peoples of every nation and language to see His glory (66:18). He will place a sign in their midst and send survivors to distant peoples, Tarshish, Put, Lud, Tubal, Javan, and faraway coastlands, who have neither heard of His fame nor seen His glory, and they will declare it among the nations (66:19). The psalmist's summons to make God's glory known to the peoples (Psalm 96:3) is echoed here, and the vision points toward the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) and the multitude drawn from all peoples and languages before the throne (Revelation 7:9).
- Isaiah 66:18-19 (BSB)““And I, knowing their deeds and thoughts, am coming to gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see My glory. I will establish a sign among them, and I will send survivors from among them to the nations—to Tarshish, Put, and the archers of Lud; to Tubal, Javan, and the islands far away who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. So they will proclaim My glory among the nations.”The LORD gathers the nations and sends survivors to proclaim His glory to peoples who have not heard.
- Psalm 96:3 (BSB)“Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.”The psalmist calls for God's glory to be declared among the nations.
- Matthew 28:19 (BSB)“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”Jesus sends His disciples to make disciples of all nations.
- Revelation 7:9 (BSB)“After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.”John sees a countless multitude from every nation and tongue before the throne.
General
Jesus uses the closing words of Isaiah (66:24) in Mark 9:47-48. How does He apply them?
Answer: To describe hell, the place of final punishment
The book of Isaiah ends with a solemn warning. As the worshipers go out, they will look on the bodies of those who rebelled against the LORD, whose worm does not die and whose fire is not put out, and all humanity will find the sight dreadful (66:24). Jesus takes up these words in Mark 9:47-48 to describe hell, warning that it is better to lose an eye than to be thrown there. The undying worm and unquenched fire show that God's judgment on unrepentant rebels is final and lasting. Jesus also set the everlasting punishment of the wicked beside the everlasting life of the righteous (Matthew 25:46), and Paul speaks of eternal destruction away from the Lord's presence (2 Thessalonians 1:9).
- Isaiah 66:24 (BSB)““As they go forth, they will see the corpses of the men who have rebelled against Me; for their worm will never die, their fire will never be quenched, and they will be a horror to all mankind.””The book ends with the lasting judgment of those who rebelled against the LORD.
- Mark 9:47-48 (BSB)“And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where ‘their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.’”Jesus uses the words of 66:24 to describe hell.
- Matthew 25:46 (BSB)“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.””Jesus contrasts eternal punishment with eternal life, showing the judgment is lasting.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 (BSB)“and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,”Paul describes the penalty of eternal destruction away from the Lord's presence.
Theological
In Mark 9:47-48 Jesus takes up the language of 66:24. To what does He apply it?
Answer: To describe hell, the place of final punishment
Isaiah closes with the worshipers going out and seeing the dead bodies of those who rebelled against the LORD, whose worm does not die and whose fire is not quenched, a sight dreadful to all humanity (66:24). Jesus applies this language directly to hell in Mark 9:47-48, warning that it is better to go into the kingdom with a single eye than to be cast there with both. The imagery signifies judgment that is final and unending for the unrepentant. Jesus elsewhere sets eternal punishment beside eternal life (Matthew 25:46), and Paul speaks of everlasting ruin away from the Lord's presence (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
- Isaiah 66:24 (BSB)““As they go forth, they will see the corpses of the men who have rebelled against Me; for their worm will never die, their fire will never be quenched, and they will be a horror to all mankind.””The book ends with the lasting judgment of those who rebelled against the LORD.
- Mark 9:47-48 (BSB)“And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where ‘their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.’”Jesus uses the words of 66:24 to describe hell.
- Matthew 25:46 (BSB)“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.””Jesus contrasts eternal punishment with eternal life, showing the judgment is lasting.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 (BSB)“and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,”Paul describes the penalty of eternal destruction away from the Lord's presence.
General
In 66:3-4 the LORD says He finds the people's offerings as offensive as violence and idol worship. Why?
Answer: They went their own way and ignored God's call
The LORD says that, for these worshipers, offering an ox or a lamb, grain, or incense is no better in His eyes than murder, unclean offerings, or praising an idol (66:3). The problem is not the offerings themselves but the people bringing them: they have gone their own way and taken pleasure in disgusting practices. So God will decide what punishment they receive, because when He called nobody answered and when He spoke nobody listened (66:4). Isaiah's book opened with the same complaint about worthless sacrifices (Isaiah 1:11-13). Samuel told Saul that obeying God matters more than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22), and Proverbs calls the offerings of wicked people detestable (Proverbs 21:27).
- Isaiah 66:3-4 (BSB)“Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations. So I will choose their punishment and I will bring terror upon them, because I called and no one answered, I spoke and no one listened. But they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.””The LORD rejects the offerings of people who chose their own ways and would not answer Him.
- Isaiah 1:11-13 (BSB)““What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly.”Isaiah's opening oracle also rejects sacrifices brought by people who persist in sin.
- 1 Samuel 15:22 (BSB)“But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.”Samuel says obedience is better than sacrifice, the issue 66:3-4 exposes.
- Proverbs 21:27 (BSB)“The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!”Proverbs calls the sacrifice of the wicked detestable, as God regards these offerings.
Theological
According to 66:3-4, why are the people's sacrifices as abhorrent to God as violence and idolatry?
Answer: They went their own way and ignored God's call
In 66:3 the LORD equates the sacrifices of these worshipers with acts of murder, unclean offerings, and idol worship. The fault lies in the worshipers, not the rites: they have gone their own way and delight in abominations. In fitting justice God will decide their punishment, because His call went unanswered and His word unheeded (66:4). The charge repeats Isaiah's opening indictment of hollow sacrifice (Isaiah 1:11-13), Samuel's word that obeying God's voice outweighs sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22), and the proverb that the offerings of wicked people are detestable (Proverbs 21:27).
- Isaiah 66:3-4 (BSB)“Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations. So I will choose their punishment and I will bring terror upon them, because I called and no one answered, I spoke and no one listened. But they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.””The LORD rejects the offerings of people who chose their own ways and would not answer Him.
- Isaiah 1:11-13 (BSB)““What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly.”Isaiah's opening oracle also rejects sacrifices brought by people who persist in sin.
- 1 Samuel 15:22 (BSB)“But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.”Samuel says obedience is better than sacrifice, the issue 66:3-4 exposes.
- Proverbs 21:27 (BSB)“The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!”Proverbs calls the sacrifice of the wicked detestable, as God regards these offerings.
General
In 66:7-9 Zion gives birth before her labor pains begin. What does this picture show?
Answer: A people brought into being suddenly by God's power
The LORD describes something no one has ever heard of: a mother who delivers her child before labor even begins (66:7). He asks whether a land or a nation could come into being in a single day, yet Zion brought forth her children as soon as her labor started (66:8). The LORD will not bring His people right up to birth and then fail to complete it (66:9). The picture shows a whole people restored suddenly, by God's power and not by human effort. Isaiah had already pictured a barren Zion with more children than she had room for (Isaiah 54:1; 49:20-21), and Paul calls the Jerusalem above the mother of believers (Galatians 4:26).
- Isaiah 66:7-9 (BSB)““Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before she was in pain, she delivered a boy. Who has heard of such as this? Who has seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be delivered in an instant? Yet as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children. Shall I bring a baby to the point of birth and not deliver it?” says the LORD. “Or will I who deliver close the womb?” says your God.”Zion gives birth suddenly, and the LORD promises to finish what He begins.
- Isaiah 54:1 (BSB)““Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.”Isaiah pictures barren Zion with more children than the married woman.
- Isaiah 49:20-21 (BSB)“Yet the children of your bereavement will say in your hearing, ‘This place is too small for us; make room for us to live here.’ Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has begotten these for me? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. So who has reared them? Look, I was left all alone, so where did they come from?’””Zion is amazed at the many children given to her though she had been bereaved.
- Galatians 4:26 (BSB)“But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.”Paul speaks of the Jerusalem above as the mother of believers.
Theological
What does the image of Zion giving birth before labor convey in 66:7-9?
Answer: A people brought into being suddenly by God's power
In 66:7-8 Zion delivers before she labors, and the LORD asks whether anyone has known a land or nation to arise in one day; yet Zion bore her children as soon as she travailed. He will not bring a birth near and then withhold it (66:9). The image is of a people brought into being suddenly and wholly by divine power. Isaiah had already pictured barren Zion astonished at her many children (Isaiah 49:20-21; 54:1), and Paul names the Jerusalem above as the mother of believers (Galatians 4:26).
- Isaiah 66:7-9 (BSB)““Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before she was in pain, she delivered a boy. Who has heard of such as this? Who has seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be delivered in an instant? Yet as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children. Shall I bring a baby to the point of birth and not deliver it?” says the LORD. “Or will I who deliver close the womb?” says your God.”Zion gives birth suddenly, and the LORD promises to finish what He begins.
- Isaiah 54:1 (BSB)““Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.”Isaiah pictures barren Zion with more children than the married woman.
- Isaiah 49:20-21 (BSB)“Yet the children of your bereavement will say in your hearing, ‘This place is too small for us; make room for us to live here.’ Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has begotten these for me? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. So who has reared them? Look, I was left all alone, so where did they come from?’””Zion is amazed at the many children given to her though she had been bereaved.
- Galatians 4:26 (BSB)“But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.”Paul speaks of the Jerusalem above as the mother of believers.